Whatever it is that you do, you’ve GOT to do something. If you don’t you’ll become hungry for other things.

You will. Believe me.

I’ve seen it too many times in my life and in the lives of those I’ve coached or counseled.

Staying hungry throughout the day

Morning is good. But it’s not enough.

[tweetthis]Morning can’t be your sole time of spiritual hunger. You’ve got to carry it with you throughout the day.[/tweetthis]

This is where it has to get practical. You’ve got to resort to small, simple things to remind you to say a quick prayer, open the scriptures for a quick bite of spiritual food, or take a deep breath as you rely once again on the Spirit of God.

If you’re going to survive, you have to find practical ways to stay hungry throughout the day…

Here are some suggestions:

3X5 cards in your pocket with pertinent verses or quotes to inspire you

Sticky notes on the dash of your car or inside your cubicle

Alarms on your phone to remind you to rest in Christ, abide in Him, or say a quick prayer

If you’d like to share your hunger with other brothers and sisters who are in the business world too, it’s a great place to check out.

I’d love to hear your tips, tactics, and strategies for staying hungry throughout life. And if you’d like someone to coach you in how to develop these kinds of soul-sustaining practices, I’m here to help.

Please, let me know how the LORD has instructed you in this area in the comments below!

When I feel like giving up on my business… OUTLINE

[6:21] Why it’s important not to make decisions when you’re under the cloud

[7:18] What if God DOES show you that you’re on the wrong track?

[8:18] If you’re going to stick out out – go into “learning mode”

[10:18] Why making the same mistake repeatedly is inexcusable in business

I think it was about a year and a half into my business, Podcast Fast Track…

that some events happened all kind of right in a row that made me want to quit.

I was discouraged, I was down, there were things that made me doubt myself and my abilities – and whether or not should have started this crazy entrepreneurial journey in the first place.

In particular the thing that made me want to quit was that I had a client who canceled his subscription to our podcast production and show notes service. Then another one. Then another one. Three customers in a row who bailed out.just when I thought I’d been doing a really good job for them.

To be honest I saw the first one coming.

The businesses had been growing pretty rapidly and I was scrambling to keep up with the workload. I was trying to create systems so that I could bring others on to help me out – I was doing all of that at the same time.

It was during that time frame I’d made a handful full of mistakes on that particular client’s work. I made the mistakes, not my team, me.

It’s strange how that happens – all of the mistakes happening on one client’s account. I mean if they’d been spread out over two or three client, I don’t think I would have lost any of them. But that’s how it all started, that’s how I began wondering if I should quit my business.

Then when the second client cancelled her subscription, and the third one just on the heels of that, you can imagine my state of mind. I mean if you’ve been there before you’re asking all kinds of questions…

What am I doing wrong?

Maybe be I’m am no good at this.

Maybe I should have taken on the risk of starting my own business in the first place.

And sometimes the worst case scenario you hear in your own mind… “This just isn’t going to work.”

What should you do when you hit that point?

And if you haven’t hit that point yet and you are starting a business, I’m pretty certain you will come to everyone.

So I want to answer the question here, “What do you do when you want to quit your business?”

The first thing I would say is you need to get some space from the issue.

I learned the hard way that I don’t make good decisions or good assessments when I’m in the pit of despair. You know I had to get some space, to get away from the situation for a little while so that I could look at it unemotionally even eventually, dispassionately.

Because I want to see what’s really happened, not what I feel has happened. When I was able to do that in the situation I told you about here’s is what I was able to see…

Number one, the first client’s issues were entirely my fault.

I had made mistakes.

He lost trust in me – and trust is the most valuable thing that I can give to a client so that was completely understandable. That he said, “No thanks, we’re gonna to handle this another way” is completely understandable.

The second client was reorganizing his business and decided the podcasting didn’t fit into his plans. Okay, that kind of thing happens in any type of business there’s nothing I can do about that one.

The third client was in the middle of some heavy life issues. There were two deaths in his family within one month. It makes total sense that they were off-loading all the non-priority things.

Again, there’s nothing I can do about that.

You know somebody once told me never make decisions when you’re under the cloud. Wait until the sun comes out.

That is great advice. I’m am glad I thought clearly enough to do that in this situation, and I highly recommend it for you too.

Get some space away from the situation.

Secondly, don’t be afraid of the possibility that it could be quitting time.

There’s always the possibility that the LORD is using a difficult or discouraging circumstance to redirect you. I’m learning not to be afraid of that possibility – after all, maybe I’m not cut out to be an entrepreneur or a business owner. Perhaps it’s something that I was induced into and excited about but it really doesn’t fit me. Maybe I made a mistake in my initial decision to take on something like this.

If I’m going to live a humble life I’ve got to be open to those as possibilities.

And you know in the end, if God shows me that I shouldn’t be pursuing a certain course of action or a business then that’s a good thing, isn’t it? Even if I don’t think it is at the time, even if I feel like a failure at the time.

There’s actually something very admirable about noticing you’ve made a misstep and then correcting course. And we can always rest assured God’s got our best in mind.

So in the situation I told you about I spent some time in prayer. And I sought the counsel of spiritually wise people – my wife among them. People that I respect. I did that so that I could determine if the discouragement was a course correction that I needed to heed – like quitting the business – or if it was nothing more than an obstacle or speed bump that I could learn from and overcome.

Prayers for wisdom work. God promises that they do.

So don’t be afraid of the possibility that it actually could be quitting time you got to assess.

The third thing – you should go into to the learning mode.

I mean if I get through steps one and two and I feel I should remain where I’m at, you know pursuing the business, then it’s time for me to assess what I did to contribute to the problems that occurred.

I already mentioned that I’d made mistakes on the first customer’s service. Three mistakes in close succession for that customer, so what do I do with that?

Well, I need to own it.

There’s is nothing wrong in admitting that I made a mistake. In fact, you can’t move forward until you DO admit that you made mistakes.

So I had to own those mistakes inwardly and outwardly. I contacted the client, I admitted the mistakes clearly and openly, and I apologized. I told them the steps I was taking to correct the problem and I asked if there was any way I could continue to provide the service they originally hired me for.

In that situation, you know the story – they said “No thanks.” But I did what was right by owning my mistake.

Another thing you need to do when you go into a learning mode is you need to consider God’s role in the issue.

The way that I look at that situation is that God’s hand was clearly in it. I mean…

He could have prevented me from making those three mistakes, all on the same clients account.

He could have made the mistakes minor instead a major in the client’s eyes.

He could have retained the client for me even after I made the apologies…

But He didn’t.

And I’ve got to trust that God knows what He’s doing in my business, that He’s got a great purpose in what is happened. After all, it’s His business, not mine. I’ve got to learn to rest in Him. Even in a disappointment like that.

When you’re in learning mode you also need to pinpoint how all the mistakes happened and tweak your procedures and your systems to avoid the same mistakes in the future.

In business, making the same mistake repeatedly is inexcusable.

It really is – it’s inexcusable.

Because as a service provider or product supplier you have committed yourself to deliver a certain amount of value. If you make a mistake – wonderful – we are human and we make mistakes. But we learn from those mistakes too – and part of what we learn is how to adjust the way we are delivering that good or that service so that the mistake doesn’t happen again.

You see I’m not being a good manager or a good steward of the business God has given me if I allow all those mistakes to happen over and over. So we make adjustments to the way that I do things. That’s my systems. That’s my procedures. I change things, I make checklists, I do things to avoid the same errors happening repeatedly.

If needed, I make sure those adjustments are communicated to my entire team so that everyone knows how to avoid that potential problem.

In the situation I’ve described I was open with my team about my mistakes so that they could all learn from them. And that’s hard to do as a business owner but you know your team will respect you more for it. Not only does that model the kind of behavior that you want to see in your team, it also builds trust in you as a leader, even though you made a mistake.

The fourth thing that you need to do when you experience a business failure or you’re tempted to quit is to revisit visit your purposes for being in business in the first place.

It’s time to refocus.

What I did was I spent some time reminding myself why I’m doing this thing called business.

Here’s my quick bullet point list that I went through…

I’m providing for my family – that’s a huge responsibility in a massively important thing to me

I’m am creating things that will benefit people – and I really do want to help people with the majority of my time, and let’s not fool ourselves if we are working we spend the majority of our time at that.

And it should be something that is benefiting people.

I also have the blessing right now to do things in a way that uniquely fits me. I mean I love that about this business, it uniquely fits me and that’s very fulfilling.

I also to remind myself that I maintain the lifestyle of freedom and availability to my family and to my church to my community to my friends that I believe God wants me to have.

For example, it wasn’t long ago that our pastor had forgotten that he was gonna to be gone in two weeks on a Sunday. He texted me and asked me if I could fill in and do the preaching that week.

That was a great opportunity – and it was a great freedom to be able to say “Yes” because I have a business that allows me to structure my life in such a way that I could put in the extra time to do a quality sermon for the church family. That is vitally important to me.

Another thing that I had to remind myself was that I’m am gleaning experience from my business that can help others. Through this podcast, through my blog, through my life coaching business and other things, I can pass along the experiences that I’m learning in business – and they’re not all going to be pretty and wrapped up neatly with a bow from the LORD. Sometimes those lessons come through the hard mistakes we make.

I also have to remember that once upon a time I was pumped up about this thing that I call my business. And I have to remind myself that deep down, even though there’s been a discouraging season, I still AM encouraged and pumped up about it.

The last thing that I had to do when I was tempted to the quit was this: I had to get to work.

For me it’s vital that I not sit in the discouragement or any inaction the discouragement spawns. I can’t do that for very long once I’m convinced that I’m still on the right track. I’ve got to get moving again.

I truly think this is a vital – that you get moving again quickly.

The doubt and the fear and the insecurity can’t be allowed to creep into your soul further. If it did, it would be devastating the second time around.

So in my case, the week after I got the last of those client cancellations, I got busy.

I sent out over two hundred and fifty marketing emails to prospective clients in one week.

I dove into the creation of a new mini course that I was making.

I started into the final edits on my second novel.

In other words, I just got busy.

But that brings us to another great question – “What if you don’t feel like getting busy? What if it’s extremely hard to get past that discouragement. What if you just feel like you can’t?

First of all, pray. Ask God for the strength and the motivation that you need.

Secondly, believe that He’ll answer your prayer. Don’t be guilty of what we do so often – we pray something and then we step away and continue to worry and fret about the thing we just prayed about.

If you’re asking God to give you the strength that you need to get moving again, believe me, He’s is going to answer that prayer.

So begin acting the on that belief. In other words get busy.

It’s really a mindset battle when you want to give up on your business.

These discouraging times really are a mindset battle.

Did you recognize that from what I described in my situation? Whether you actually quit your business or not, you have to win the battle over discouragement.

As a believer in Christ you have to learn to overcome those down feelings and thoughts that threaten you, because they will derail you – they will suck faith out of you if you let them.

And depending on your unique past, the battle may be harder for you than it is for other people.

But that doesn’t matter. Your obstacles are your obstacles.

It’s still a battle that you have to fight and win.

It’s a battle that’s vital because it has to do with how you think. Perhaps you’ve heard me talk about this before, but how you think will dictate the course of your life. So you have got to win the battle against discouragement.

Successfully fight one battle after another after another and you will begin to build the spiritual and emotional muscle you need to get past the wrong beliefs and feelings that tend to hold you back not just in business, but in life.

It’s a battle where you cannot give up.

You cannot quit.

Even if you do decide it’s time to throw in the towel on something like a business.

My encouragement to you is this:

Grab your Bible right now if you can and fill yourself up with truth. Do it daily if you have to – and most of us do.

If you are not subscribed to the Morning Mindset edition of this podcast – that’s what the Morning Mindset is about.

]]>The First Step is the Hardest [Ep 43]https://livebuildchange.com/the-first-step-is-the-hardest-ep-43/
Wed, 20 Dec 2017 08:59:03 +0000https://livebuildchange.com/?p=1068It’s true, though we don’t like to admit it: the first step is the hardest.

Getting started, moving out into the unknown, stepping out to discover something new, taking a risk… all of these are ways to describe the emotion we sometimes feel when it comes to doing new things.

But it’s those new things that bring about the changes we want most in life.

We can’t expect the future to be better, to be different if we are unwilling to make it different.

That means we’ve got to get started, and the first step is often the hardest.

Here’s a rough outline of taking the first step…

[0:57] The significance of the first step in anything

[2:08] The most common reason people don’t get started

[3:40] Why it’s vital to step past what is familiar into the unknown

It’s a bit dysfunctional, but we humans tend to prefer something that isn’t working but is familiar, to something that might work but is unfamiliar.

Think about it. Often the reason we don’t take the first step into a new opportunity or adventure is the fear of what might happen.

What if it’s too hard?

What if I fail?

What if I can’t handle the pressure?

What if it’s not what I’m expecting?

What if I’m not ready?

The “what if”s are many. But so are the reasons to move ahead. Among those reasons are…

Nothing you want to change will change if you don’t get started

Wishes don’t make things reality, diligent, informed action does

Nothing great in history was accomplished by doing nothing

Even God makes things happen through action – God so loved, He gave…

You get the point, right?

So the real question is this: What is keeping you from taking the first step into something new, something that could change your life and future for the better?

You’ve got to answer that question and attack what you find. You won’t build anything that improves your life or the lives of others unless you do.

So find a friend, maybe your spouse, and sit down to talk it through.

Identify the things that keep you from taking that hard first step. Know what they are. Get to understand why they scare you so much.

Then go to prayer. Ask God Himself for the courage to not only take that first hard step, but to take the next one, and the next one as your faith in Him increases.

And don’t forget, He’s with you every step of that journey, through the easy steps and the hard ones. And HE is the one who will build anything you do.

So step out, even when the first step is the hardest. Trust Him. Trust Him to do the hard things that you can only imagine happening. And watch what He does.

]]>Why a Spirit of Humility is Essential in Business [Ep 42]https://livebuildchange.com/why-a-spirit-of-humility-is-essential-in-business-ep-42/
Tue, 12 Dec 2017 08:59:34 +0000https://livebuildchange.com/?p=1056Humility is not a virtue that’s championed in the American culture, or in modern business strategy.

We’re a bunch of rugged individuals in the western world. We’re mavericks, pioneers, explorers, people who are strong, independent, and proud.

But as good as those characteristics may be in helping you get your business off the ground, they won’t keep you afloat once you start adding team members to your organization. That’s where humility comes in. If you don’t intentionally build humility built into your business strategy, your business is going to suffer a long, painful death, because the backbone of your business will be severed.

What is that backbone? RELATIONSHIPS – between team members, and with clients/customers.

Relationships cannot survive, at least not in a healthy way, without humility.

Join me for this brief episode about why a spirit of humility can be THE KEY to a successful business team – and how you can implement humility better as a part of your company.

POINTS TO PONDER: A Spirit of Humility

[6:34] The real question: How do you insert humility into your company culture?

[10:14] Action steps: It’s one thing to learn, it’s another to apply it.

Here are 6 reasons humility should be included in your business strategy:

1 – Humility fosters an atmosphere where everyone on the team is invited, even expected, to contribute.

Ideas are shared, creative juices get flowing, and projects actually gain momentum because there is no ego-at-the-top that is threatened by the talented individuals on the team. It also encourages folks to disagree, because disagreements are where sacred cows are challenged and the truly creative innovations are born.

2 – Humility makes necessary confrontations less threatening.

When everyone is encouraged to be open to the ideas and perspectives of others on the team, it’s not so tough to confront someone over a misstep, violation of shared convictions, or neglect of a responsibility. Because you’ve built humility into your company culture, you’ll expect the person on the other side of the difficult conversation to be receptive to what you have to say, and you’ll approach them with a desire to truly understand what happened and help them overcome the issue.

3 – Humility makes it easier for the entire team to take necessary chances.

When humility is pervasive in a company, nobody is going to get canned if they fail. Nobody is going to lose their cool if someone else fails. The entire team is motivated and eager to step into the unknown so that great discoveries can be made. That’s when things begin to roll ahead, when progress is truly made. That’s when companies and individuals have tremendous impact.

4 – Humility makes it easier for team members to trust each other.

Everybody is FOR everybody else in a humble company culture because it’s a known fact that nobody wins or gets ahead unless everybody wins or gets ahead. Teamwork takes on its TRUE meaning in a context like that.

5 – Humility fosters an atmosphere of clear communication.

When egos are not on the line, there’s no risk in sharing information, data, skills, resources, etc. No more competition between departments, no more fighting for budget allocations and favor with the CEO. Everyone is free to share, communicate, and make the entire company thrive.

Everything is better for customers and clients when humility is part of your business culture. Service to your customers is not a “bother”, it’s an honor. The changes and impact your team is having on the lives of the real people you serve, begins to matter. Enthusiasm will build. A positive atmosphere will emerge… and your customers will sense it, and like it. That creates customer loyalty and an ethos where word of mouth referrals can explode.

And that’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. I know there are TONS more reasons humility is an excellent component to add to your business strategy.

Pin This!

So how do you do it? How do you insert a spirit of humility into your business culture?

Model it.

If you, the owner/boss/manager are not demonstrating humility in how YOU interact and respond… nobody else will. You have to lead the way, consistently.

Talk about it.

Humility isn’t something you can insert covertly. Your employees and partners need to know that you’ve had a “change of heart.” They need to know that because something inside you is different, the company is going to be different. It’s called “confession” and it truly IS good for the soul.

Describe how you see it working.

Give examples of what it would look like. Highlight the benefits. Make it clear that every employee’s performance and role will be evaluated by the additional criteria of how they are functioning as a humble contributor to the whole. Brainstorm it with the team. Your employees are talented people. They will become even more dynamic and essential when they begin to operate in a context of humility. Listen to their ideas. Build on them. Brainstorm together how you can work toward humility in your day to day operations.

Trust your team with important things.

You have to let go of things (it’s part of the modeling point above). The people on your team will begin to shine, bringing benefit to you and the company if you let them. Learn to delegate. Learn to give up power. Trust key people with important tasks and roles, and watch them bloom… and watch them begin to do the same toward those under them.

Develop a “thank you” habit.

Humble people are appreciative people They notice what others are doing to contribute to the whole and make sure they are valued. As the owner/boss, you can do that in some significant ways. That includes public appreciation, championing the “rock stars” on your team, and making sure to be liberal with “well done” remarks across the community.

Learn to be generous to the team.

I’ve always believed that if a boss/manager treats his people like gold, they will repay him in gold. When you are generous with your team, they will work harder, smarter, and faster. They will feel positive about you and the company. They will commit themselves to the tasks and goals of the company in a new way… a humble way.

ACTION STEPS FOR YOU – Make a spirit of humility common in your company culture:

Choose one thing from the second set of points above that you will commit to doing for the next 30 days.

Here’s a rough outline of this BIG THINGS HAPPEN episode

[1:10] How I became aware of the reality of big things happening through consistency

[2:45] From spiritual flunky to consistent follower of Christ – all from small steps

[5:45] The danger of going through the motions without authenticity

[9:59] One of the problems: we look too far ahead instead of looking at today’s win

[12:35] What to do if “building a business” seems overwhelming to you

[17:30] My encouragement: Don’t get overwhelmed, start small and watch what happens

It’s not something that I was aware of as a kid growing up, at least not in a way I can put my finger on, But the reality of life is that important things, significant things only happen when people do the important, smaller things consistently.

Have you noticed that?

Think about the skills you use to do your work everyday. You didn’t learn them in an instant, with a flash of inspiration or god-given ability, did you? In every case, it took months and sometimes years to develop those skills to a point that you can use them to earn your living, To care for your children well, to create a home that is place of rest in peace.

Whatever it is you do, you got there one step at a time.

the apparent significance of the tasks you do is not the key, consistency is. This episode is designed to encourage you not to let the small steps become a discouragement. They are the very things that build into something bigger.

What are the big things that could happen in your life?

You may not have much vision for your future, for the things that you want to come of your life. I didn’t when I was younger. I just knew I had to do something to make a living, so I graduated high school and got busy.

But once I got married all of that changed. Now there was somebody who depended on me, someone who believed in me and encouraged me to pursue things that mattered. And I began to learn that the little things I do everyday amount to bigger things over time.

In this episode I tell you the story of how that worked for me spiritually, how I went from a spiritual flow To a consistent Christ follower over the years. It’s not a story I tell to impress you, but to emphasize how important it is to keep going, to add brick upon brick to the spiritual House of your life.

If you can take one step, and another, and another, and another, then you can do this. It’s what all of the spiritual “giants” of the past did. That’s because it’s the only way to accomplish big things.

What is it that keeps you from accomplishing big things? It could be that you’re looking at the effort required all along the way.

I know what it’s like to become overwhelmed. You look at the destination and then realize all of the hard work that will be required in order to get there, and you get overwhelmed and discouraged.

Do you see what’s wrong with that picture? Once you know the goal, you don’t need to look at everything that’s required to get there. You only need to look at what’s required today.

It’s what I call a short-term, long-term focus. It’s how you get from here to there, and it’s mainly by focusing on here and now without too much concern for all the steps along the way. Today is what matters.

When I first started building a business, I didn’t know I was building a business.

One of the beautiful things about being a novice as something is that you don’t really know what you’re getting into until it’s too late. On this episode I tell you the story of how I started my business, and I didn’t really know that’s what I was doing. All I cared about was putting food on the table at that time. So that’s what I did.

Fast forward 4 years and I have a growing six-figure business with 11 people working as part of my team. If you had told me that’s what I was shooting for when I started, I might have become overwhelmed instead of motivated.

I love how God takes us one step at a time along our journey, not showing us too much at once. There is incredible wisdom and amazing love in that. He keeps us going one step at a time simply by showing us one step at a time.

If you want big things to happen as a result of your life but don’t know where to begin, this episode is for you.

]]>Spiritual Business For Ordinary People, with Paul Moore [Ep 40]https://livebuildchange.com/spiritual-business-for-ordinary-people-with-paul-moore-ep-40/
Tue, 28 Nov 2017 09:00:13 +0000https://livebuildchange.com/?p=1039Have you ever considered that there could be such a thing as spiritual business practices?

One of the most unfortunate things that has happened in the recent history of the Evangelical church is that individuals sitting in the pews have gotten the impression that the clergy, those trained professionally for ministry, are the only ones who can actually do ministry.

Nothing could be further from the truth. In this great conversation with my friend, Paul Moore you will come to understand what I’m talking about when I say “spiritual business.” It’s a possibility for anyone who has an open, generous heart and is eager to be a tool in God’s hand to change the world.

Spiritual Business with Paul Moore: OUTLINE

[0:38] Why I have intentionally been slow about having guests on the show – and why I invited Paul Moore to be the first guest

[2:11] The wild business and entrepreneurial background in Paul’s journey and how faith has played its part in each decision

[6:33] Significant things that have happened in Paul’s experience since he began seeing himself as one who does spiritual business

[10:54] Paul’s advice for employees about the impact they can make on a spiritual level in their business activities

[15:53] For business owners who want to do spiritual business to bless the world

[22:42] How can you get started with an entrepreneurial endeavor?

[28:20] What it means to live your faith as a business person

[32:52] How Christ-followers have an advantage bigger than Bill Gates

[35:06] Paul’s experience in real estate and his advice for getting started in that realm

[42:42] Why real estate rather than a brick and mortar business

[47:42] The current investing deals and spiritual business visions Paul is working toward

What do you mean by the phrase, “Spiritual Business”

In one way, it’s kind of sad that I phrase like spiritual business is not easily understood. But I get it.

The teaching we’ve received from well-meaning pastors and evangelists has given us the impression that business is a sordid thing to get into and the very best we can do is to keep our hands clean of the improprieties that often happen.

But my guest and I have both come to understand that like anything else in life, business can be done in a spiritual way. It only makes sense because all of us are spiritual beings. And as followers of Jesus Christ, we have been given the Holy Spirit of God who is able to lead us into the best practices that enable us to build a business that can benefit people on a large scale.

In this conversation, Paul Moore and I chat about his experiences in business and how he came to realize that he didn’t have to be seminary trained in order to do spiritual work. Some of the ways this guy and his partners are looking to change the world are downright inspiring.

He’s got my wheels turning when it comes to new ways I might be able to leverage my business endeavors for greater purposes.

Trust that God is going to lead you into what He wants you to do

One of the things I wanted to ask Paul, simply because he has such a wide array of experiences in the business world, was how he would advise a person who has an entrepreneurial bent but doesn’t know exactly what sort of business they should pursue.

Paul’s advice was golden.

He says the first thing you need to do is to trust that God is going to lead you if He wants you to be pursuing some kind of business. It’s God’s plan that matters, first of all, you just get to come along for the ride. So believe that He will guide you through your open and teachable heart, and get started one step at a time. As you are moving, God will direct you.

And if you have no interest in starting your own business and instead feel called to the corporate world, Paul has a story or two that will lift your spirits as well.

You don’t want to miss the true account about the Jewish CEO who was healed through the faithful prayers of one of his Christian employees. And it didn’t stop there. The CEO became one of the biggest cheerleaders for the Christian employee and even put him and God on the spot to change the weather.

I told you it’s a great story. You’ve got to hear it on this episode.

Dream Big! The spiritual significance of your business endeavors can’t be underestimated

The significance of what you and I can accomplish through a spiritual business should never be underestimated. It’s not just about making money, it’s about what we can do for the kingdom with the money that is generated.

And beyond that, there are people who work with us and for us who we can bless in normal and not so normal ways through the positions God gives us as business leaders.

It’s time for us to start dreaming big. Businesses that are led from a spiritual perspective can be a tool in God’s hand to accomplish great things. Go this conversation is almost an hour, you won’t regret a minute of it.

]]>God is at Work in You. What Do You Have to Fear? [Ep 39]https://livebuildchange.com/god-is-at-work-in-you-what-do-you-have-to-fear-ep-39/
Tue, 21 Nov 2017 07:59:38 +0000https://livebuildchange.com/?p=1026When I say that God is at work in you, you’ll likely nod your head in agreement.

We all know what it means to work. But do we know what it means to let God work in us?

But God works more than any of us and He never gets tired. It’s one of the perks of being God.

And He says some amazing things to us, about us – that could change everything in our worlds.

Here are a few examples…

Philippians 2:12-13

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

2 Corinthians 4:6-7

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

I could go on all day, but you get the point.

God intentionally points out that HE is in us to work THROUGH us.

Let that blow your mind. It’s OK, I’ll wait.

If that is true… if THAT IS TRUE…

Why do we limit the possibilities of what could come of our lives?

Why do we look at obstacles and think they are too big?

Why do we wait around for someone else to change things we see needing changed?

Why do we sell ourselves short?

Why do we settle for status quo?

Do you see where I’m going with this?

If God is at work in you, there’s no reason any of that should be true.

This episode is my little rant about that – and hopefully a kick in the seat of the pants – a pep rally – a motivational talk – to get you thinking rightly instead of wrongly.

Come on my fellow Christ-followers, let’s get ourselves aligned with God’s purposes in redeeming us and change this stupid world!

Insecurity can be powerful. But not as powerful as the God who is at work in you

Insecurity is a very real thing.

As real as an intangible feeling can be, that is.

The grip it has on us is strong and it takes intentional work on a number of levels to kick it to the curb.

But it can be done – I know, because I’ve done it. Sort of.

Beating insecurity is a mental task, a FAITH task.

And don’t let my use of that word – faith – make you think we’re about to get all woo-woo and impractical. Not in the least.

Biblical faith is the most practical, action-oriented, world-changing thing there is because it takes God at His word enough to move, to act, to boldly be an agent of change.

Insecurity has no place in the life of a Christ-follower. None. Nada. Zilch.

This episode highlights that fact and gives you some tools that you can use to overcome insecurity once and for all. And it all starts with the reality – THE REALITY – that God is at work in you.

Once you believe that enough to take action, the doors of God-sized possibility are open.

Get ready. God just might rock your world through this episode.

Here’s an outline of my rant about God being at work in you…

[0:50] Why living your faith is not a religious thing and what it can do in the world

[3:04] We all work, but do we really?

[5:40] How working in the strength of God makes the biggest difference

[7:50] The way we believers have missed the boat over the years

[11:45] Fighting the voice of insecurity as God fills you with His power

Back then I had no idea what that would take and I had no idea exactly HOW I wanted to change the world, but it doesn’t hurt to dream, right?

There’s always been something inside me that has made me want my life to count for more, wanting the time I spend on the planet to leave a dent in history. I read or watch stories about people like Winston Churchill, William Wilberforce, and others who stuck to their guns until something happened… and I want to be THAT kind of person.

A few years ago God started stirring all that up in a way that’s more clear than it’s ever been, and He’s got me moving in a specific direction.

This episode explains that direction and invites/challenges/encourages you to screw up your courage to come along.

We only get one shot at this life. Let’s make it count!

Here’s a rough outline of how I’m going to change the world…

[3:11] Why living your faith is likely not what you’ve been taught

[5:50] Why Christ-followers are best equipped to change the world

[8:05] A gut check moment: Are you truly in relationship with the Savior?

[12:01] The build part of my vision is about intentionality

[14:10] Why most people actually DO have time to do more

[18:59] I really do want to change the world. Here’s how I’m going about it

[24:20] WARNING: Don’t get the cart before the horse, please!

Changing the world starts with living your faith, and THAT is not what you think

Most people who listen to this podcast are Christians. Great, that’s who I’m talking to on this episode.

Because changing the world in a way that matters long-term only happens when God is in it. Seriously. We’ve got to learn what it really means to live out an authentic, genuine faith. That’s where our marching orders come from.

And it’s not about…

Attending church

Putting money in an offering plate

Being good

Going to Bible studies

Listening to K-Love or Air1

Subscribing to missionary newsletters

PLEASE DON’T MISUNDERSTAND ME… those are all good things in their proper place, but they are NOT what makes your faith genuine. At best, those are outgrowths of your faith.

Your faith itself flows out of an unbelievably amazing truth. It’s so unbelievable, I have a hard time believing it.

Here is is, are you ready?

Christ-followers are indwelt by the God of the universe

Seriously. If that doesn’t give you shivers and blow your mind, you’d better check your spiritual pulse. It’s an amazing reality we have to get used to beliving.

Because it’s out of THAT reality that we are able to realize the incredible opportunity and privilege we have to…

Walk daily in sweet relationship with God Himself

And out OF that comes His clear direction for what we’re supposed to be doing to change the world, to change OUR worlds.

But before we get all hyped up about changing THE world, how about starting with OUR worlds?

It’s never a good idea to export things that aren’t working in your everyday life. There needs to be track record, something to show for the effort you’ve put in over time.

But what’s even more important is that the people near you matter just as much as the people across the world you may be aiming to help. In fact, I bet if you stop to let the concept settle on you, you’ll quickly see that the people close to you matter more to you.

Am I right?

So as you begin living out that authentic faith, the people around you should be the first ones to benefit.

Wives should get sweeter, more understanding husbands who genuinely care for them.

Husbands should get loving, supportive wives who encourage them to go for God’s best.

Kids should get parents out of the deal who wisely parent them in true faith and wisdom.

THAT is the way to begin changing YOUR world and it has GOT to come first.

There’s a lot more I mention about changing the world in this episode, so don’t miss it.

]]>What is the Difference Between a Freelancer and an Entrepreneur? [Ep #37]https://livebuildchange.com/what-is-the-difference-between-a-freelancer-and-an-entrepreneur-ep-37/
Mon, 11 Sep 2017 09:00:27 +0000http://livebuildchange.com/?p=976

Subscribe

There are lots of terms thrown around in the online business community and if you’re new to the idea of starting a side-hustle or founding a startup – wait a minute, there I go using terms you may not be familiar with. So… the point is…

I want to help you understand two of the most commonly used terms you hear in the business community these days – freelancer and entrepreneur. What’s the difference, what are the pros and cons of each, and why would you want to pick one over the other?

Are you a freelancer? Or are you an entrepreneur? Here’s how you can tell…

I often find it helpful to compare and contrast things within an area of interest to me. Seeing the similarities and differences helps me get the details of them straight in my own head.

On this episode I’m highlighting what’s the same and what’s different between the roles of freelancer and entrepreneur. It’s important for a number of reasons…

One will likely fit your personality better than the other

Your particular skills and gifts may not be utilized best in one role over another

When you find which one fits you better, you’ll simply be happier and more effective

So… here’s to you – you, freelancer – or entrepreneur!

Consistency and Relationship make the difference between a freelancer and an entrepreneur.

I really want you to listen to this episode of Live Build Change – not because it’s all about me but simply because I cover more details on the audio than I do on this webpage. Nevertheless, if you don’t have the time to listen, here’s the difference between a freelancer and an entrepreneur in a nutshell…

Consistency and Relationship.

A freelancer is going to do work for a particular client LESS consistently and with a more “acquaintance-like” relationship than an entrepreneur or business owner will.

Describing it from the other perspective, a business owner or entrepreneur is typically going to establish long-term relationships with ongoing clients or customers, and their relationships will typically go deeper – or at least they should.

Like I said, you’ll get a lot more clarity from listening. If time’s an issue your podcast player should have a fast speed setting.

Summary of This Episode About: Freelancer VS Entrepreneur

[0:36] The terms that we throw around in the business world these days.

[2:14] What does it look like to run a business as an entrepreneur?

[6:55] Freelancer = skill or expertise for hire, one project at a time.

[10:39] You get to choose if you want to be an entrepreneur or freelancer.

[11:04] The CONS of being a freelancer.

[11:59] The CONS of being an entrepreneur or traditional business owner.

]]>Do You Have What It Takes to be an Entrepreneur Who is Passionate for Christ [Ep #36]https://livebuildchange.com/do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-be-an-entrepreneur-who-is-passionate-for-christ-ep-36/
Thu, 31 Aug 2017 21:03:00 +0000http://livebuildchange.com/?p=969

It’s an alluring thing these days to think about being an entrepreneur. Depending on what you’ve liked and commented on via Facebook you may have seen the THOUSANDS of ads popping up in the news feed about how this person or that person made buku bucks with Facebook Ads or online courses or webinars or whatever.

Much of that stuff is true and you could probably do it too.

But as a Christian, you need to FIRST ensure that you are in a healthy place spiritually and that you know that you are DESIGNED BY GOD to actually BE an entrepreneur.

If you’re not and you jump in anyway – you could find yourself in a world of hurt.

This episode is about that… what it takes to be an entrepreneur who is passionate for Christ at the same time they are pursuing business success.

As an entrepreneur, you have got to have a bent to FIO.

I never thought about it in exactly this way until I began recording this episode of the podcast but you can’t be an entrepreneur if you’re unable to FIO.

Yep, I said FIO. (Pronounced “Fee-Oh”)

What? You don’t know what “FIO” means? Well… that’s just proof you need to listen to this episode of the podcast, don’t you?

FIO is the first of a number of skills I describe on this episode that you WILL possess if you have what it takes to become an entrepreneur. And I cover each of those skills from the perspective of what it means to passionately follow Christ at the same time.

This is good stuff, I hope you won’t miss it.

To be an entrepreneur who honors Christ, you’ve got to quit looking back longingly.

The bulk of this podcast episode is me waxing eloquent (from my experience as an entrepreneur) about what it takes to be successful AS an entrepreneur who follows Christ.

One of the skills you need to have is the ability to not look back nostalgically at the past once you’ve put your hand to the plow to make a different life for yourself.

Jesus talked about that, remember?

Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” ~ Luke 9:61-62

Before you start railing on me for applying that verse out of context, let me say this in my defense – I KNOW this verse is about following Christ, not becoming an entrepreneur. But I also need to say that JUST LIKE it requires a “no looking back” attitude to follow Christ, it ALSO requires that kind of attitude to become a successful Christ-honoring entrepreneur.

So there. Just listen to hear my full extrapolation, exegesis, and textual interpretation.

If you want to assess whether you have what it takes to be a Christ-honoring entrepreneur…

I think the most important thing I say on this episode is this: Be cautious about learning business savvy over learning to walk closely with Christ.

And don’t just nod your head knowingly in agreement as you read that.

Stop and think seriously about your bent toward doing what’s “fun” and “exciting” instead of what’s best. How do I know you have that bent? Because I do. We ALL do.

It’s easy – TOO easy to be drawn to the latest business book in the morning when you were intending to get into the scriptures and draw close to Jesus. Nothing against the latest business book necessarily. But we’ve got to be SMART about these things.

And we start by knowing ourselves. So… I’ve typed enough. This episode tells you all this and more, so I hope you take the time to listen.

Summary of This Episode About: What it takes to be an entrepreneur.

[0:41] My vision of the Live Build Change philosophy.

[1:55] Eyes wide open: What does it take to be a faith-filled entrepreneur?

[4:44] Do you have a “Can Do” mindset? Are you able to FIO?

[9:18] Can you prayerfully set goals and commit to moving them forward?

[14:46] You’ve got to have the ability to never look back in regret.

[19:02] Be willing to do what it takes to reach your goal.

[21:27] Can you pivot? Can you remain flexible?

[23:58] Are you OK with making mistakes? If you aren’t you won’t grow.

[26:27] Always be growing – the attitude it takes to be a successful entrepreneur.

[30:02] Are you eager to love people through a business?

[34:10] What does it look like for a Christian entrepreneur to have an attitude of faith?

]]>Types of Companies: Choosing the Best Business Entity for You [Ep #35]https://livebuildchange.com/types-of-companies-choosing-the-best-business-entity-for-you-ep-35/
Tue, 15 Aug 2017 09:00:11 +0000http://livebuildchange.com/?p=961Business entities. It’s a fancy way of talking about the types of companies that people can legally create in the United States. It sounds intimidating but it’s not, you just have to be careful about how you set them up and how you keep your records.

Don’t follow my bad example when it comes to business entities.

When I first got started in business I honestly didn’t know what I was doing. I simply needed to make some money to put food on the table.

But that can only be an excuse for so long. I wound up having to pay far too much taxes the first year my Podcast Production business took off and learned the hard what that I needed to get a new business entity set up, pronto.

Don’t be intimidated by the process. Determining and using the right business entity will yield great benefits.

On this episode I’m diving into my understanding of these things – and why they are important. It’s more than simply having an impressive name for your business.

There are legal protections that come with some of the types of companies you can create and there are tax benefits in some cases as well.

This episode tells you what I’ve learned, how it’s impacted me (positively and negatively) and why I think you’d be better off to make a decision about the type of business you’re going to have sooner rather than later.

I’m also very concerned that you not let the complications of this process deter you.

It takes some very specific, careful steps to set up any type of company in a way that is legal – except for a sole proprietor company, that happens by default the minute you start doing business… and I’d NEVER recommend that anyone stick with that business type for long.

But you CAN LEARN what it takes to set this up – you can get help from professionals if you need to. I just don’t want you to put it off because it sounds difficult.

I’m not going to fool you – some of it IS difficult, but it’s worth it.

And you can do it!

Keep in mind, I’m not a tax attorney or accountant, so my advice is just that, MY advice.

When it comes to making decisions about this kind of stuff, seek the advice of someone you trust who has gone through the educational steps needed to know what they’re talking about inside and out.

Summary of This Episode About: TYPES OF COMPANIES

[0:39] Today we’re going to talk about the types of companies, or business entities you have at your disposal.

[3:28] The type of company you choose impacts how the government taxes you.

]]>What Kind of Business To Start: 3 Examples to Get You Thinking [Ep #34]https://livebuildchange.com/what-kind-of-business-to-start-3-examples-to-get-you-thinking-ep-34/
Tue, 08 Aug 2017 09:00:56 +0000http://livebuildchange.com/?p=956OK, just for the fun of it let’s say you are ready to start a business. I hope the next question that’s coming to mind for you is “What KIND of business should I start?”

Yep, that’s what I thought. You’re a smart one!

There are many, many options of the kind of business you can develop – many more than I’m able to cover in this blog post or the podcast episode that accompanies it. But I was sitting in my favorite coffee shop doing a bit of work and thought it would be helpful to walk through just a few of the most common options for you, so you could have some food for thought.

Speaking of food… the crepes at the coffee shop are amazing! Check out the link in the resources to come visit sometime.

But back to the issue of what kind of business you should start…

In this audio I’m going to walk through 3 types of businesses that you could consider. Here’s how I think of them.

#1 – A traditional “brick and mortar” location-based business.

#2 – A completely online business that’s location independent.

#3 – A hybrid model that supplies physical products to consumers but does it all online.

So that’s what you’ll hear on this episode. I hope it’s helpful to you as you consider what kind of business is best for you.

And keep in mind, that really IS the issue – what’s best for you, the life you live, and the calling God has placed on it.

You won’t be able to achieve the things He wants for you through some kinds of businesses, you will through others. So be clear about that.

I’m convinced that more and more Christ-followers can build businesses of various types to truly have an impact on the world through the income their businesses produce.

I hope you’ll jump on board, learn how to do it yourself, and get busy blessing people!

Thanks for listening.

Summary of This Episode About: WHAT KIND OF BUSINESS

[0:40] What does it really look like for YOU to build a business? You get to decide.

[2:28] The coffee shop as an example of a “brick and mortar” business and the expenses involved.

[6:44] Business example 2: A non-physical location business.

[9:33] Comparing the expenses as a consideration for what kind of business you begin.

[11:29] Why I’m sold on the kind of business I do – but it may not be for you.

Ethical principles in business are an easy thing to talk about – TALK ABOUT – and not so easy to actually PULL OFF. But that’s the hard work that makes them worthwhile. It’s what sets you apart from both your competition and in the eyes of your clients and customers.

You’d think that for Christ-followers applying ethical principles to a business should be a walk in the park. Think again. It’s never easy for anyone to consistently, wisely, compassionately do the right thing when there are plenty of people and organizations out there just looking for someone to cast stones at.

Christians seem to be a favorite target.

On this episode I dive into one example – from my business – of how we Christ-followers need to not only think through the ethical principles that should distinguish our business from others, but also how we need to carefully navigate the waters of applying them.

There are legal things to consider. Moral things to consider. Faith things to consider.

Consider that for a while.

We’ll cover an example or two, look at a specific scenario I’ve had to deal with on multiple occasions, and look to the scriptures for principles that apply to both our business practices and the perspective we have on people – who are the objects of service any business is aimed toward.

Ethical principles are vitally important in business. For a Christ-follower, times 10.

What you’ll hear in this episode about: Ethical Principles in Business

[0:47] The interesting tensions that come up because of ethical principles in business.

[2:12] How do you maintain your Christian standards as you run your business? (the Gay wedding cake issue – again)

[4:02] How and why I began thinking about ethical principles as they apply to my business.

[9:44] Realize that the money WILL have a pull on you, no matter who you are.

[12:03] How I’ve had to deal with clients that need to be “fired.”

[14:14] Taking a page from Apple when it comes to not working with certain content.

[18:03] Why creating something that explains your company values is not enough.

[21:36] How have potential clients responded? Only a few have been angry, believe it or not.

[23:52] What does it mean to hold to ethical principles in business in a way that makes Christ look good?

[27:34] The benefits that come from responding to anti-Christian customers and clients in love and with understanding – but clear conviction.

[29:31] Why we Christ-followers must stand when everyone else bows. A matter of faith.

Those are the ones we typically think of – each one having its own approach or WAY of doing the actual teaching.

But the changes in technology that have happened over the last 20 to 30 years have initiated what I consider to be an AMAZING OPPORTUNITY for anyone who is willing to get outside the norm of what education has typically been and try it a different way.

But it takes an unusual person (in a good way). It takes someone who is self-motivated, can hold themselves accountable, and can learn on their own (sort of).

Let me give you an example of a new educational model…

OK, YouTube is not really a university, but it might as well be. There are so many things you can learn there – absolutely for free. In just the last year I’ve learned how to…

Repair my car

Patch a shower enclosure

Add a new skill to my audio editing toolbox

Optimize the keywords on my website

Quickly evaluate a real estate investment property

How to setup a chatbot for my Facebook page

And much more. All on YouTube.

In fact, my existing business exists entirely because of this new educational model that I employed to learn what I needed to learn in order to get it started.

This episode is not only about making you aware of the opportunity, but motivating you to take a closer look – for yourself and for your kids who will be looking at educational choices.

They don’t have to go the traditional route if it’s not the best route. In fact, in this episode I tell you about my now-17-year-old son who is considering skipping college altogether because of an opportunity that has been presented to him.

What do you think of THAT? Am I an irresponsible parent?

Listen to what I have to say on this episode and then make up your mind. I hope I can convince you that the changing world we live in demands that we think differently than we ever have about the educational models that we employ to get where we need to go.

Happy listening!

Summary of This Episode About: NEW EDUCATIONAL MODELS

[0:43] How the educational landscape has changed dramatically in the last 10 years.

[2:39] What I consider to be a “traditional education” and the typical drawbacks.

[4:21] Non-traditional education: my personal story and how I discovered it.

[7:59] As you consider the Live Build Change emphasis, consider self-education.

The real power of social media is not in marketing, or chatbots, or online groups. It’s not in SEO or conversions.

Those are all important for a successful online business, mind you – but they are NOT the real power of social media. Social media was meant to be SOCIAL (duh) – that means you should be working to build REAL RELATIONSHIPS with REAL PEOPLE out there in the REAL world.

The technology of social media is the tool (like a telephone) that you use to do that.

It’s an unprecedented opportunity we have these days. I have business associates who live in the Ukraine, clients who live in England, and others I truly “know” as a friend who travel the globe.

I carry on regular conversations with them about significant things.

And it all happens through the power of social media.

This episode is a bit different (and shorter) but I think the message is truly powerful. It’s a concept that will serve you well if you work diligently to apply it well. Making friends – true friends – through the technology we call social media, is one of the most reliable, effective ways to position yourself for personal and business success.

That’s because social media gives you the opportunity to truly be of benefit to others out there in the interwebs. You get to help them. Really help them.

And did you know that when you help someone, they instinctively trust you more than they did before you helped them? Do you see where I’m going with this? Trust. Trust.

Trust is the foundation of all healthy human interactions – even in business. Especially in business.

Do you have online friends who are eager to see you succeed? If not, it’s probably because you haven’t taken the time to be of value to them. You haven’t worked to be a blessing, long-distance and digital as it may be.

But you can – that’s the beauty of this thing. You CAN be a blessing through the resources you share, the people you introduce your people to, the advice you give, and much more. You’ve just got to look beyond the stupid cat videos and trite memes to see the opportunity.

OK, the rant’s over (for now). But you can hear more on this episode of the podcast.

I hope you do.

Summary of This Episode About: The Real Power of Social Media

[0:41] The intent of social media: to be social.

[4:32] Why building relationships first is helpful to building a business.

[7:33] Connections open the door to other relationships you are going to need in time.

]]>Why Positive Affirmations DON’T WORK and What You Should Do Instead [Ep #30]https://livebuildchange.com/why-positive-affirmations-dont-work-and-what-you-should-do-instead-ep-30/
Mon, 03 Jul 2017 09:00:18 +0000http://livebuildchange.com/?p=876

You may or may not have heard much about “positive affirmations” yet – but you will. It’s a fad that’s going around personal development and entrepreneur circles these days and it’s really nothing new.

What are positive affirmations? It’s the practice of saying something you want to be true of yourself, to yourself. Over and over and over.

The idea is to convince your psyche that those statements are really true of you. I can see how it helps when the things you’re saying to yourself really are true but you’re just having a hard time believing them (and there are many reasons that could be the case).

But…

If your positive affirmations are not based in reality – you’re next door to crazy.

I’ve been pondering this topic for a long time and finally felt it was time to record something, to bring you in on the thoughts I’ve been having.

Because if you’re going to build a business, online especially, you’re going to hear this topic mentioned over and over. And as a Christ-follower, you need to know what is true about it or you might get sucked into some pretty damaging stuff.

So, this is the episode where I unload about positive affirmations

What are they?

How are they typically used?

What’s concerning about how they are used?

Why they don’t really work and what’s happening when it appears they do?

What you should do instead?

And a few other things I threw in for free.

Main Points About This Episode on Positive Affirmations

[0:43] Why I’m concerned about positive affirmations.

[2:00] The typical purpose of modern affirmations – the good and the bad.

[4:44] Why affirmations appear to work in some cases (and what’s really happening).

[6:17] The responsibility of Christ-followers in light of the practice of affirmations.

[8:14] The role of faith and the scriptures in building your own beliefs.

[11:20] Why pragmatism isn’t the way forward for believers in Christ.

[14:55] How to use the “promises” of scripture to set your believing mindset.

]]>As Iron Sharpens Iron: Why You MUST Raise The Bar On Who You Hang Out With [Ep #29]https://livebuildchange.com/as-iron-sharpens-iron-why-you-must-raise-the-bar-on-who-you-hang-out-with-ep-29/
Mon, 26 Jun 2017 07:00:29 +0000http://livebuildchange.com/?p=871

I hope you’re at least familiar with the scripture, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17) It’s a powerful truth that applies on a number of levels. On this episode, I get into the topic by highlighting a situation my in-laws have been involved with lately – it includes prison, alcoholism, and an innate knowledge that environment impacts the way you are able to live.

The reality is that YOU have a choice about who (and what) you allow to influence you.

To the degree that your mindset and ideas are impacted by the people around you, you are responsible to govern your own mind and life in light of that circumstance. Sometimes that means you have to change the influences that are around you – or at least minimize the impact of negative influences and people around you. This episode makes a case for that responsibility and gives you some tools that can help you do it.

You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.

That’s the way business mentor Jim Rohn says that as iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another. If those 5 people who you surround yourself with are people who are farther down the road you want to go down and should be going down, you WILL BE positively impacted. It’s natural. It’s the way God created relationships to work.

How do you find the iron to sharpen YOUR iron?

Consider the kind of person you want to influence you in the direction you believe you should be going. Do you see how this deserves serious consideration and prayer? Think about it: You are looking for a person you are going to intentionally allow to influence you. You need to be wise, discerning, and careful as you make up your mind about it. And then you have to figure out HOW to get in the same orbit as those people. It can be hard if they are a person far beyond you in terms of achievement or social circles. On this episode I give you some pointers about how to cultivate those relationships and how to make the most of the opportunities.

A quick outline of this episode about iron sharpening iron.

[1:29] My in-law’s experience with a young man that illustrates the power of environment.

[13:11] Who are you looking for when it comes to positive influences in your life?

[19:17] How do you being surrounding yourself with positive influences?

[23:39] Why you need to STAY in what I call, “student mode” all the time.

[26:14] What is at stake when it comes to who you choose to be the iron that sharpens you?

Is it true that if you change your mind (the way you think) you can change your life? I believe the scripture teaches that it is true – absolutely. It’s a part of what we Christ-followers refer to as “faith.”

But it’s not just optimism or positive thinking. It’s much more than that. It’s believing specific things that are 100% TRUE, even though at times they don’t necessarily FEEL true. And that’s why I think we get so flummoxed on this issue. We give too much credence to what we FEEL, allowing it to convinces us that things are true that are not.

So… on this episode I’m going to take you on a deep-dive into what I understand the scripture to teach about what I see as a domino effect involving beliefs, thoughts, feelings, and actions.

But more importantly, I’m going to give you some tips for how I’ve learned to change my own mind so that I can change my life. And this stuff really works. It should, because it’s God’s truth. So listen and learn how you really can change your mind and change your life.

What we believe necessarily impacts the way we behave.

Imagine what it would be like if you settled into your favorite chair to enjoy a drink and a good book or favorite TV show, and you glance toward the arm of your chair and see a big, hairy spider!

I don’t know what you’d do, but you’d do something, right?

But then, what would happen if you realized it was your kid’s rubber spider toy? You’d start to calm down – sort of. But it would take a while for your emotion and adrenaline to catch up with your mind.

That’s just an example of how what we BELIEVE impacts our feelings and actions – even if what we’re believing is not true. So… listen to this episode to find out how you can take control of your beliefs to change your life.

You are not a victim of your preconceived beliefs. You get to decide what to believe.

All of us have ideas or beliefs about the world, people, life, God – and they truly function like software that run this “human machine.”

BUT – the great news is that you can change the software. You can rewrite it according to what GOD says is true rather than what you’ve come to believe is true. And here’s the kicker – you get to decide to make those changes any time you want.

This episode takes you into how all that stuff works in our inner being, in our soul. I trust it will be helpful to you because these concepts have honestly changed the lives of my wife and I as we’ve learned them and discovered how to apply them to the practical, daily things we encounter.

Outline of this episode: Change your mind, change your life

[0:52] How I’ve learned that your life can change if you change the way you think.

[3:44] Mindset: what does it REALLY mean from a biblical perspective?

[6:52] Understanding how our inner world works – the realm of the soul.

[18:01] An additional question Christ-followers MUST ask.

[21:35] Why you need to be aware of God’s enemy who is out to ruin you.

[26:44] Where do your negative thoughts come from? This is important to know.

[29:24] It is entirely possible that you can renew you mind. Here’s how.

It’s easy to get a bit confused about the difference between dreams and goals. Is it just semantics? Or is there a difference that really matters? Since I’m doing an episode on the topic you might have the suspicion that I have an opinion, and you’d be right. I think there is not only a difference between dreams and goals, I believe there’s a HUGE difference. Dreams come first and then they translate into goals – that is, if they are really goals.

It sounds a bit confusing now, but if you take the time to listen you’ll get it. I’m confident you will because you’re smart!

If you have a goal that you’re not acting on – you’re wrong. It’s not a goal. It’s a dream.

Back when I was first married I was listening to one of my favorite guitarists, a guy by the name of Phil Keaggy. I looked over at my father-in-law and said something like this, “Man, I’d give anything to be able to play like that.” He calmly responded, “No, you wouldn’t.”

I was mad, so I asked him why he said that. He said, “If you would, you would already be doing it.” You know, he was right. He understood that if it was really a goal, I would be taking action. But it wasn’t – it was nothing more than a dream, a fanciful wish that I wasn’t motivated enough to pursue to make it an actual goal.

On this episode, I tell a story from my Middle School years (wow, that was a long time ago) that illustrates many of the difficulties and struggles you might experience in trying to make your dreams become realities. I hope it helps you. It helped me to walk back through the memories and notice God’s faithful hand in my life.

You shouldn’t let an 8th grader show you up. Come on! Be a man (or woman)!

By God’s grace, I was able to accomplish something pretty amazing as an 8th grader. You’ll hear the story on this episode.

And it’s the same type of thing that all of us have to do if we are going to make something impacting out of these lives God has given us.

I did it as an 8th grader with far fewer resources than we have available today. That’s one of many reasons why I’m confident you can make your dreams into goals and your goals into realities. What are you waiting for?

Are you going to let an 8th grader show you up?

Outline of this episode about the difference between dreams and goals

[2:14] My story of dreaming about playing the drums.

[4:44] OK – here’s the difference between a dream and a goal: action.

[6:16] How a dream begins to turn into a goal. No, it’s not evolution. Just listen.

[10:05] How I approached Mr. Duggan to sell myself to him as the new drummer – even though I couldn’t play the drums, and didn’t own a drum set. Hmmmmm

[12:00] How I stumbled into the opportunity as an 8th grader and happened to get it right.

[15:24] The deal I made with my Mom. I still can’t thank God enough that she did it.

[18:41] My challenge: Don’t let an 8th grader show you up!

[26:40] What it means to “learn the hard way” – it’s not what you think.

[28:09] And that’s when my heart sank. It would have been easy to quit.

[38:09] Why you have a better opportunity than I ever did as an 8th grader.

What SHOULD you sell? It’s perhaps the most important question you have to answer at the beginning of any business. And it’s not only about products, it’s also about services you might provide to people. It’s hard to know the answer, but one way to narrow down your options is to use three simple words to evaluate opportunities you come across. Those three words? Problem. Pain. Passion. Find out more on this episode.

[0:39] It’s not easy to determine what you should sell – product OR service.

[2:24] The foolish assumption many would-be entrepreneurs make.

How many times have you heard someone say – or maybe you’ve said it yourself – “Man, this is such a great idea! We should figure out a way to sell it!” It happens all the time. And some of the time you might be right – it actually IS a great idea that people would pay money for. But much of the time it’s just an idea that YOU appreciate and the broader market of people would not show as much enthusiasm for it, at least not enough to make them get out their wallets to pay for it. On this episode, I’m going to tell you how to avoid this mistake of jumping into the business waters with a focus on the wrong product or service.

[4:15] What is the real NEED or PROBLEM that you are trying to solve?

[5:58] The people who are most motivated to buy what you sell are those who have a PAIN.

If you want a market that will beat down your door to by what you sell, you have to tap into a legitimate pain point, and many times it will be an actual, physical pain. Think of migraine sufferers, those who deal with chronic pain, etc. It’s one explanation why the cannabis industry has exploded as a solution to pain relief. I’m not suggesting you jump into the cannabis industry – but what I am suggesting is that you consider the possibility that God may have equipped you in some unique way to help people with a true pain point in their lives. You can find out more by listening.

[9:51] What should you sell? Maybe something having to do with the passions people have.

When it comes to determining what you should sell there is one possibility that I believe Christ-follower need to think and pray about before they dive in. It’s the area of providing something that enables people to pursue an area of passion. No, I’m not talking about anything indecent, I’m talking about hobbies, interests, artistic endeavors – the kinds of things people love to immerse themselves in. Why is it something you need to pray about? Because just because people are immersed in it doesn’t mean that’s a good thing, for them or for the world. And as a Christ-follower you need to be clearly led by God to understand your role in those areas. I’ve got more to say about it on this episode, so join me, won’t you?

[12:25] How to apply Problem, Pain, and Passion to your own business approach.

If we were approaching this whole thing of business building and answering the question, “What should I sell?” from a purely profit-centered approach, this podcast episode would be over. But we’re not. We are Christ-followers. We want to add eternal value to the world. In light of that we need to look at how these areas of problem, pain, and passion (especially passion) relate to OUR ability to address needs in a particular market. I know, that’s a bit vague and a potentially difficult to understand – but I think I’ve addressed it more clearly on the audio for this episode. So I’d love for you to get involved by thinking it through with me. Welcome aboard the Live Build Change train.

]]>Failure Is A Good Thing. Really. [Ep #25]https://livebuildchange.com/failure-is-a-good-thing-really-ep-25/
Sun, 28 May 2017 07:00:54 +0000http://livebuildchange.com/?p=848
It seems like everybody is deathly afraid of failure. But failure is a good thing. Yes, it is. Even though it’s not always an enjoyable experience, or we’ve been taught through our upbringing and schooling that an “F” (failure) is bad – the reality is that there are lessons failure can teach you that nothing else can. As you listen to my thoughts on this issue of failure I want you to open up your mind to the possibility, the likelihood, that failure is really a good thing… a very good thing.

[2:39] Failure is what teaches us from childhood. Why are we so afraid of it?

If you think about the way we learn from early childhood on, it’s by failing. Walking, talking, schooling – all of them put us in contexts where we have to master something se did not know before. We have to make the attempt to do things that feel very uncomfortable. But we do it anyway – and we succeed in time. Failure is a teacher, a companion, a friend in some ways when we are younger. So what happens to us that makes us so afraid of failing? We’re going to dig into it on this episode. It’s kind of touchy-feely. I just thought I’d warn you.

[6:51] Why does failure take on such a stigma in our culture?

Once we become adults the story changes. Rather than embracing failure as a friend that can help us improve at ANYTHING, we see it as an outcome to be avoided at all costs. Why is that? Have you ever wondered? Part of it is that we live in a performance-based culture, where success is lauded and failure is, well, criticized. But anyone who succeeds HAS to fail IN ORDER TO SUCCEED, right? On this episode I pontificate a bit about why and how we need to fight back against the culture’s stigma against failure, at least in our own minds. If we can teach ourselves to think differently about failure, to see failure as a good thing, I believe that we could accomplish amazing things. Join me.

[11:10] There is going to be failure as you build a business.

When it comes to starting any type of business the fear of failure seems to be taking steroids. And there are good reasons for that. There’s a lot more on the line in the start of any business – income, the well-being of people, costs that you may not recoup if you fail – you get the idea. I’m not telling you that to scare you off. In fact, I want to encourage you by telling you that because once you realize that risk is part of what makes the reward so sweet, you start looking for ways to fail faster so you can move forward more quickly. I’m not saying you take stupid risks, but I am saying you have to take risks. How does that work? Listen and I’ll fill you in.

[21:44] The detrimental effects of being a “glass half-empty” person.

It’s not just personal development jargon to say that the way you think dictates the way you live. It’s the truth. So that means whatever perspective you tend to have – glass half-empty VS glass half-full – will shape how you go about life, the things you dare or don’t dare, and the degree of success you will ever be able to accomplish. On this episode I’ve got a little bit of confrontation and a lot of encouragement for you if you are one of those glass half-empty people. I know, you don’t want to admit it – and I won’t make you right now. Just listen to the episode to see if what I’m saying hits home. If it does, then you can admit it.

[26:26] The power of a “glass half-full” perspective.

Positive thinking didn’t go out of vogue with Norman Vincent Peale. In fact, it’s still one of the most important aspects of a healthy mindset. But you have to be careful what you MEAN when you talk about it. If you’re talking about “airy fairy” stuff that is not grounded in reality, then you’re not really talking about positive thinking, you’re talking crazy. And for some of you, when I say, “Failure is a good thing” it may strike you in its own crazy sort of way. But it’s not. Give me a chance to prove it to you by listening to this episode. I guarantee you, you’ll get it and realize something new about yourself. And if you don’t, hmmmmm – I guess I’ll buy you a cup of coffee or something to congratulate you on having this fear of failure thing whipped. Just shoot me an email and we can discuss the logistical details regarding your free cup of java.

]]>How To Get Rid Of Fear [Ep #24]https://livebuildchange.com/how-to-get-rid-of-fear-ep-24/
Mon, 22 May 2017 07:00:03 +0000http://livebuildchange.com/?p=844
Many people SAY that they want to know how to get rid of fear, but they really don’t. I hope that doesn’t sound snarky, it’s just that I believe it’s true. The reason I say that is because the real way to get rid of fear has to do with what you believe. And yes, it is that simple. It’s a bit much to unpack in a short paragraph – which is why I recorded this episode of the podcast. Join me as I unload a few thoughts about how to get rid of fear by changing what you believe. It’s a concept that is proving powerful in my life right now, so I hope you listen.

[1:12] Is there any way in which you live from a place of fear?

I recently had coffee with a friend of mine and one of the things he said as we were chatting about his life and the direction he feels God is nudging him is this: “I think that I live from a place of fear.” Wow. That’s quite an admission, and quite a realization as well. He realized that he’s been making decisions – or not making decisions – from a motivation of fear. As I pointed it out to him in a clearer way he desperately wanted to know how to get rid of fear for good. Thankfully, with the recent loss of $4,000 a month in business income under my belt, I’d already been having some conversations with the LORD about fear – and I had something to share with him as a result. Are you ready to learn how to get rid of fear? You can, on this episode. And it works every – single – time.

[3:34] Fear is a manmade construct. WE create fear.

If you are anything like me you probably push back against a statement like that. And it makes sense why you may. We all find ourselves in circumstances where fear just seems to rise up from nowhere, but even then I think we are creating the fear ourselves. Not directly. Not intentionally. But we are the ones doing it nonetheless. Do you want to know how? We do it through what we are believing about the situation. If you want to go a bit more in-depth and find out what I mean, and more importantly, how it can help you get rid of fear, you have got to listen to this episode.

[5:51] A true story about fear in the face of a greater reality.

[10:16] We overcome fear by overcoming wrong beliefs.

[13:08] You don’t have to get rid of fear all at once.

When it comes to getting rid of fear the good news is that we don’t have to do it all at once. Like climbing a mountain we can take baby steps, a little bit at a time, to move us in a direction of faith rather than remaining stuck in a place of fear. But it can’t happen if you are not willing to examine and address the things you’re believing that are causing your fear. In this episode, I tell about a conversation I had with a friend and how he discovered some practical, small steps he could take to begin moving out of his self-confessed place of fear. My prayer is that you will find the same kind of help.

[18:25] Peace in the midst of a potentially devastating business loss.

Back in episode 21 of this podcast I told about a recent business setback I experienced – $4,000 per month in lost business income. That’s enough to make anyone feel a bit nervous and a lot afraid. But I didn’t feel afraid. I still don’t. I don’t tell you that in order to brag or to impress you – I tell you impress UPON you that you too can overcome fear – if you are willing to address the root of it. Find out what the root is and how to get rid of fear, on this episode.

Many people don’t think they can learn effective sales and marketing skills – because they don’t see themselves as a salesperson. I get that. Entirely. On this episode, I start out with a story from my past of when I tried to squeeze myself into a sales role to support my family. I needed the income. I needed the opportunity. But I just couldn’t do what was required. It wasn’t me. So what do you do if you need to develop sales and marketing skills but don’t feel that it’s you? I’ve got some ideas – on this episode.

[2:20] The story of my sales career. Painful, painful, painful.

When I was a younger man, fairly newly married and with one son who wasn’t even walking, I faced a time when I was unemployed. It was a desperate time. A time when my faith grew and my willingness to do anything to provide for my young family grew as well. One of those “anythings” I tried was a sales role. Knocking on doors to sell stuff. Walking into businesses to sell stuff. Cold calling. It was painful in more ways than one. But years later (now) I’m able to consider that at least some of the reason it was so painful is because I had no REAL sales and marketing skills to bring to the table. And in place of them, I had all kinds of bad beliefs about sales that made it even harder.

Can you relate? If you can, I hope that what I’ve learned about sales and marketing will be beneficial to you as you seek to find the right business to build for yourself.

[6:27] The difference between marketing and sales. One is easier than the other, sort of.

[12:04] Sales is about helping people meet a need. That’s it.

When I first started my sales career (all 90 days of it) I had the impression that sales was about “getting people to buy what I had to sell.” That was a terrible approach and the lack of success I experienced proved it to be so. What I didn’t understand then, probably because I was listening to my fears more than my faith, is that sales is simply about helping people meet a need that they have. If they don’t have the need, then they don’t need what I’m selling. It’s that simple. On this episode, I’m talking about my lessons learned when it comes to marketing, sales, and the skills and mindsets that make a person successful at them. I hope you take the time to listen.

[17:33] Sales is only a win-win situation if you have a legitimately good product or service.

When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, He not only gave a direct answer, He also threw in a bonus answer. He said the #1 commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Then He said, there’s a #2 command as well – love your neighbor as you love yourself. THAT #2 commandment is at the root of all good Christian business. It’s not about serving yourself by generating more and more and more revenue, it’s about loving and serving people who can legitimately be helped by what you have to offer. It’s that simple. And it’s vitally important for all of us Christ-followers who are trying to build a business to GET on a deep level. My prayer is that this episode helps you get it in a new, fresh way.

[23:22] The best salespeople are the ones who have learned how to ask good questions.

]]>The Best Online Business Ideas For You Are The Ones That Fit You [Ep #22]https://livebuildchange.com/the-best-online-business-ideas-for-you-are-the-ones-that-fit-you-ep-22/
Mon, 08 May 2017 07:00:21 +0000http://livebuildchange.com/?p=826
When it comes to finding the best online business ideas, there is NOT a one-size-fits-all business model. In some ways, I wish it was that simple. But the fact is that there are many variables that may not suit you when it comes to running or owning any particular business. On this episode, I’m pointing out a few of the things you should consider as you try to hone down the options and find the best online business ideas for you.

[0:43] Why the best online business is one that fits you (in a variety of ways).

My main point for this episode is pretty straightforward: The best online business ideas are not the ones that are making the most money right now, or the ones that many people seem to be benefitting from. The best online business ideas for you are the ones that actually fit who God has made you to be. Yep, it’s a God thing. Again. It always is. One of the most frustrating situations you could put yourself into is one where you’re having to do daily work in an area that doesn’t fit you. And I fear that many people do exactly that simply because the money looks good. Find out how I advise you to go about it a bit differently, on this episode.

[2:53] Any business you pursue should be one you are at least interested in.

[6:35] The best online business ideas for you are ones that fit your personality.

I had a stint when my oldest son was very young where I worked for a direct sales company. It was our job to go into businesses and sell “tabletop advertising.” That means advertising they would purchase that would be placed on the tabletop of the local hotspot cafe or restaurant. As you might imagine, it was a pretty tough job – and all the more difficult for me because it required a personality that I did not possess. That’s one of the experiences that has convinced me that no matter how great an opportunity, if a business idea doesn’t fit your personality, you should run.

[10:25] Where should your lifestyle desires fit into this whole thing?

There is a ton of talk about there these days about building a “lifestyle business” – and what they mean is that you want to determine the type of lifestyle you want to live and then find a business model that will enable you to live that way. I get it. It’s very appealing. And in some ways it’s smart. But for a Christ-follower, I don’t believe it should be the top consideration when it comes to analyzing the best online business ideas that you could pursue. But still – lifestyle does have some part in the decision. Find out how I balance the two, on this episode.

It’s a real fact of life that business losses happen. I’m living proof now. On this episode of the Live Build Change podcast I’m going to tell you what happened, the first week of April 2017 that caused me to instantly lose $4,000 per month. Yep. It was the loss of a business that I never saw coming but is causing me to revamp, reevaluate, and refocus my efforts – but it hasn’t knocked me out… and I’m going to tell you why.

[1:18] The business loss I just experienced: My online course is gone.

[6:36] Business changes. Setbacks occur. Money goes away.

The hard reality of building any kind of business is that there is always the possibility that it’s going to someday go away. But really, it’s the same with any job. You could get laid off tomorrow, or injured, or flat out fired. There’s no such thing as security in this life. What do you do when something you depended on is instantly gone? I’ll tell you what I’m doing on this episode as I recover and reorient myself after the loss of a very successful online course.

[9:05] Learning to take the loss of a business in a positive way.

[11:21] How this business loss emphasizes the need for diversified sources of income.

[14:14] Why strong Christian faith during a business loss requires that you “live” your faith first.

Every week you hear me talking about the importance of living your faith, building a business, and changing your world – and you may not have recognized it but those three things are in the particular order they are in for a reason. You can’t endure a business loss like I just did if you are not first living out a vibrant faith in Christ. Oh, you might get through it, but not with the peace and confidence that God is amazingly providing to me right now. I’ve got a challenge for you now – before you face a business loss – and it’s aimed at helping you get your spiritual ducks in a row so that any losses you do experience in the future do not include the loss of your faith.

Take the time to listen to this one. It’s one of the most raw and real I’ve recorded yet.

If you have ever considered building online income, I BET you’ve wondered how to build an online course at least once. If you have, you’re smart. Online courses are perhaps the MOST passive way to generate income online. And we live in what some people have called “The Learning Economy” so it’s natural that people will continually be looking for things that teach them what they want to know. In fact, I often refer to YouTube as YouTube University, simply because I’ve learned so much from it!

[2:20] What I want to do in this episode: teach you how to build an online course.

On this episode of Live Build Change I’m doing a longer episode than normal but if you’re interested in building an online course you are going to benefit from every second. That’s because I’m walking step by step through how I have created both of my online courses – and I typically go about it the cheapest way possible. So if you’re wanting to spend some time creating a side hustle or online business but don’t have lots of cash to spend, this episode is for you.

[5:13] How to build your online course through a good brain dump and outline for its content.

The structure of any online course matters a TON. It’s got to be arranged in a way that makes sense – sequentially, covering topics in a fashion that they build on each others. For some people that’s as normal to do as walking. For others, not so much. So I thought I’d take a section of this tutorial on how to build an online course teaching you the process I use to sequentially lay out my course to make sense to me and the students who use it.

[10:14] The hardest part of building an online course: deciding exactly what you will say.

[12:54] Putting it all together: the tech and software you can use to build your online course.

I suspect that most people who have considered an online course as a possible source of revenue have been slowed down or even stopped from pursuing it by the beliefs they have surrounding the technology involved. I’m not going to snow you on this one – if you’ve never done much online or don’t feel you are good with computers – you will struggle with this aspect of building an online course. But you CAN learn it. That is, if you TELL yourself you can and depend on the Spirit of God to empower you to learn. Either way, I spend a significant portion of this episode going over the technology that I have used to build both of my online courses and I think you’ll find it’s not as difficult as you are imagining.

[21:32] You will have to do SOME video editing. But relax, it’s not that hard.

[28:33] Determining how you will deliver your video course to people.

[36:26] How do you accept credit cards for your online course?

Most of us don’t have a credit card swiper thingie in our pockets at all times. And even if we did (or do) when you build an online course you don’t want to be forced to manually swipe or process every transaction that comes your way. You want to automate that kind of stuff as much as possible so you can be earning money while you sleep. That’s why you need to decide on a payment processor that fits the way you want your course to work. You need one with

[40:36] The marketing approach I’ve taken for my online courses.

Marketing and sales scares a lot of people. And I think it does because they don’t understand it – and because they don’t know how powerfully effective some of the online tools can be in making it easier AND more effective. As an example, I’ve used YouTube – a FREE platform – to do most of the marketing and promotion for my online courses. And it’s worked INCREDIBLY well. So… listen to this episode to walk step by step through how I have built both of my online courses.

]]>Making A Difference In The Lives Of Others $25 At A Time [Ep #19]https://livebuildchange.com/making-a-difference-in-the-lives-of-others-25-at-a-time-ep-19/
Mon, 17 Apr 2017 07:00:48 +0000http://livebuildchange.com/?p=773

All of us want to be known as a person who is making a difference in the lives of others. But we’re hardly ever sure if it’s happening, right? I mean, if people don’t give you specific feedback or you don’t see obvious proof that you’ve helped someone, it’s hard to tell.

And when it comes to business ideas or side income opportunities we don’t typically think of it as a way we can help others – we think mainly about it helping us. But it can and SHOULD BE both. On this episode of Live Build Change, I am going to tell you a bit of my story – for the sake of demonstrating how God can and does do some pretty extraordinary things in surprising ways – through everyday people like you and me.

[2:47] My story: Stepping out of a 20 year career and into the unknown.

When I found myself in a career transition that I never expected, I had to figure out ways to generate income. At the time I still had 4 of my children living at home, along with my in-laws who were soon to move in with us. One of the last things on my mind at that time was making a difference in the lives of others from a financial perspective.

But as He often does, God surprised me. He began to bless me and my family through a $25 at a time source of income – and as that coupled with other business opportunities that God brought my way, my wife and I began to grow in our perspective and in our faith. My story can be your story. The details will be different but the heart of God to help you and use you to be a difference maker in the lives of others is the same. Don’t miss out.

[5:30] The Christian motive to be generous can motivate wise and compassionate business practices.

It may not sound like a good idea to create something worth $175 a pop and only charge $25 for it. But it entirely depends on why you created the resource in the first place and what your WHY is for making it available. This episode highlights the story of how I created an online course that was worth at least $200, and why I decided to sell it for only $25 ($10 at first). It was because I was convicted by the Spirit of God that I needed to use it to make a difference in the lives of people, not just get all I could from it.

God’s grace in our lives, no matter the form it takes, is supposed to motivate generosity and kindness toward others as a reflection or demonstration of His love. I invite you to hear what He did in my heart and life – and what I believe He can do in yours.

[12:16] Overcoming the “I can’t do that” thinking.

When you hear any kind of “Cinderella story” where someone comes up from a fairly difficult or desperate situation and finds success, there’s always the temptation to say, “That’s great, but I can’t do that.”

I get it. I’ve BEEN that person. But I want to pose a question that you should seriously consider. And don’t give me the first answer that comes to mind. Ready?

“Why CAN’T you do it (or something similar)?”

People are accomplishing amazing things all the time. And they are people, just like you. And if you are are a follower of Christ, you have something many of them don’t – the Spirit of the living God of the universe living inside you. I suggest that saying, “I can’t do that” is more a reflection of your faith in God than it is the reality you live in.

I’ve got a challenge for you on this episode of the podcast. Are you ready to break out of your chains and find some freedom and blessing? Then listen up.

[16:15] The practical process for moving forward to build an online course.

The way that I got moving into a better mindset and situation when it came to finances was through the creation of an online course. It’s not the only way. It’s not necessarily the best way. But it’s the way God got me moving and the way I’m familiar with.

On this episode I share the steps that I recommend you go through to explore the idea of creating an online course of your own. And before you write the idea off altogether, just listen. You may find that the approach I take helps you figure out what could otherwise be a complicated mess… and that’s what you’re afraid of, right?

[27:50] What about the motives of greed behind making money? Shouldn’t Christians be concerned about that?

It’s got to be talked about. It’s easy to say that you are building a business or source of side income because you are interested in making a difference in the lives of others. But it’s possible to say that without it really being true. Right?

Motives are elusive things, but we’ve got to hunt them down, examine them, and deal with what we find if we are going to be authentic in our faith in Jesus Christ. I end this episode by addressing that issue. I’ve been on both sides of the spectrum when it comes to sordid motives for earning money and I think what I’ve got to say may help you work through the confusion.

]]>If Your Business Dream Doesn’t Excite Your Spouse [Ep #18]https://livebuildchange.com/if-your-business-dream-doesnt-excite-your-spouse-ep-18/
Mon, 10 Apr 2017 07:00:08 +0000http://livebuildchange.com/?p=768
It’s all well and good to have business dreams. But you can’t really get rolling with them if your spouse isn’t on board – at least not in a way that maintains the harmony of your home. What do you do if your significant other isn’t as sold your business dream as you are? It’s a difficult subject and there are no foolproof answers, but I’m going to tackle it on this episode, so I hope you hang around to listen. And who knows? You might even discover some tips that help your marriage overall as well.

[2:05] Is your spouse on board with your entrepreneurial ideas and dreams?

You may be one of those blessed souls whose spouse is adventurous, eager to try new things, and totally jazzed about your business dreams. If so – I’m happy for you. Really. I am. But there are many out there who don’t have a spouse who’s quite so willing to step out into the great unknown. My wife wasn’t all that keen on my big hairy ideas when I first started my online ventures. She didn’t have the benefit of all the podcasts and other resources I’d been learning from. And when I figured that out – everything changed.

[5:55] Bring them along, don’t try to force it.

If it should happen that your spouse shows resistance to your entrepreneurial or business dreams, don’t get defensive. That’s one of the worst things you can do. Instead, you need to be patient and help them understand the things you see – the potential and dreams you’re shooting for. It can be a long process but if you don’t walk that path you’ll wind up making a mess out of things. Be patient, help them understand, and trust God to get them there in the right timing. On this episode of Live Build Change I give you a handful of ways you can approach this issue, so be sure you listen.

[9:30] What if your spouse NEVER gets on board?

It’s possible that your spouse is never going to see eye to eye with you about your business dreams – and there could be lots of reasons that’s the case. So what do you do then? Give up on your dreams? Stop altogether? I’ve got some advice for you on this one. I hope you find it helpful.

]]>Dream Big. Then Dream Even Bigger [Ep #17]https://livebuildchange.com/dream-big-then-dream-even-bigger-ep-17/
Mon, 03 Apr 2017 07:00:56 +0000http://livebuildchange.com/?p=763
We live in a world that encourages us to dream big. That’s fine – in fact, I think most of us Christ-followers need a kick in the seat of the pants to get us thinking along the line of what our God might accomplish if we had the faith to join Him. But we can’t presume upon Him. We can’t create our own “big dream” and expect God to fulfill it just because we are believers. He is God – He remains the one who gives the marching orders. Yet – we need to dream big. How does that look? This episode touches on it and tells you a bit of my journey in recent months.

[1:00] How I was challenged to enlarge my vision.

Recently I was at a conference that one of my clients puts on and was able to hear the story of a guy who started a worldwide charity organization. The things he and his team are doing – and built from the ground up – made me rethink my own dreams. Here I am, a Christ-follower and I’ve unintentionally limited my vision to the things that I think are possible rather than asking God for bigger things. On this episode I’ll tell you the story and how it’s challenging me to think bigger and dream bigger.

[5:14] What is the WHY that motivates you? Is it big enough?

You may know from the zero episode of this podcast that I’m hopeful that my business can fund bible translations for people who don’t have the scriptures in their own language. But as I’ve looked at exactly WHY I only dreamed to fund a couple of translations instead of asking the LORD to enable me to rid the world of biblically illiterate people groups – I can’t tell you. But I have a feeling that I was letting my faith be limited by what I thought was possible, rather than what I thought God could do. It’s convicting. And it made me wonder if your vision is too small just like mine was.

[6:11] Is your walk with the LORD sufficient to enable you to receive a bigger vision?

None of this “dream big” stuff should be taken on by ourselves. God is the giver of dreams – and when He gives one it is sure to come to pass because He is the one working to see it happen. But graciously, we get to take part – IF we are walking closely to Him, delighting IN Him as Psalm 37:4 says. I wrap up this episode with a short reminder of what it means to walk with the LORD and why we need to do so if we want to dream bigger and do the things God has in store for us.

Treating people right should be a given in any business. But sadly, it’s not. That’s because it’s easy in the hustle and hurry of business for people to get masked by dollar signs – those indicators of success that we all look to. But I recently had an exchange with a nationally-known company – GEICO – that not only gave me hope, it encouraged me deep down. On this episode of Live Build Change I’m going to share my experience with you and tell you the lessons I walked away with about how I should structure and run my own business.

[2:21] The Christian’s secret weapon that empowers treating people right.

Christian business people should of ALL people have the corner on the market when it comes to treating people right. The reason I say that is because we have the Spirit of the living God (who IS love) living within us. It’s part of our makeup to care for people. If it’s not, then we have deeper problems than just business problems. Before I get into telling the story about my experience with GEICO I have a few words to say about how the Holy Spirit can enable us to run companies that truly care for people and take into consideration the situations in which they find themselves.

[5:02] My email exchange with GEICO: A great example of treating ME right.

The scenario: GEICO offered us a “good student discount” when we added my 17 year old son to our insurance policy, but we had to provide proof that he was indeed a good student. That meant sending in report cards, test scores, something that GEICO could use to verify that he was indeed a good student. Our situation was a bit different because we are a homeschooling family – AND we live in a state where standardized testing is only required on the odd numbered school years. That made for a bit of a dilemma when it came to satisfying the requirements GEICO would normally have. What happened was not only surprising… it was also DELIGHTFUL. You can hear the story on this episode.

It’s easy to SAY we want our companies to treat people right, but it doesn’t happen by accident. There’s got to be an ethos that permeates the environment so that every person knows how important it is and exactly what it means to treat people right. That means we’ve got to have some kind of core values that are clearly and consistently communicated – effective training to ensure that our team gets the core values and knows how to implement them – AND that we are hiring the right people, people who LOVE our core values as much as we do. On this episode I chat a bit about those pieces of the puzzle, so be sure you listen.

Very few people are able to build a monstrous business right off the bat. And very few people should. There’s too much risk in starting a business to take such a humongous leap right away.

But not to worry – there are all kinds of small scale business ideas you can investigate and research so that you can start small – BUT have a reasonable amount of assurance that the idea you’re pursuing is something that has a good degree of success potential.

This episode is about that. How to find promising small scale business ideas – and why you should get started now figuring out what they are.

[2:07] One of the most common barriers: My “thing” is not ready yet.

I hear people all the time say that they want to start a business of their own – and they are shooting for something fairly small scale – but they say something like this: “My thing is going to be great but it’s not ready yet.”

I hear you. I understand what it’s like to want every bell and whistle to be ready before you make your thing public. I mean, you’re already feeling pretty vulnerable starting a business in the first place. What if your thing flops because you haven’t perfected it yet?

Like I said, I get that perspective. But I think it’s the DEAD WRONG perspective to have. Instead, you need to get rolling on your idea as soon as you can and get it ready to sell – even it its most infantile form – as soon as you can. There are great advantages to doing so, which I’m going to tell you about on this episode.

[8:52] Products and services are only successful when they meet a need.

As you start thinking about building your own small scale business you’re going to wonder, “How do I know if my product or service is going to be a success?” It’s natural to ask that question and it’s something you SHOULD be asking.

But there’s really only one question you need to answer in order to find the answer to THAT question. Here it is: Does this product or service meet a real need?

Bingo. That’s what matters. Every product or service that is successful meets a real need that real people have. If it doesn’t, it may sell for a little while because it’s novel or cute – but in time everyone will forget about it. But they will NEVER forget the products that truly meet their needs.

So – when you begin working on your small scale business ideas, keep that in mind. It will save you a TON of grief. And listen to this episode to hear how you can determine whether a need exists in a particular market.

[10:11] Using social media to do simple but effective market research.

One of the most effective ways to do market research – which is nothing more than examining a potential market that you would sell your product or service to, with an eye toward discovering the needs that exist – is through social media.

And it’s not through blanketing your profiles with surveys or contests. It’s through doing something quite simple: being social.

You’ll be amazed at the simple ways you can find out whether a market really needs your great product idea or not using social media. I hope you listen. This could save you tons of time and lots of headaches.

]]>How To Do Whatever It Takes [Ep #14]https://livebuildchange.com/how-to-do-whatever-it-takes-ep-14/
Mon, 13 Mar 2017 07:00:24 +0000http://livebuildchange.com/?p=744We’d all like to THINK that we are willing to do whatever it takes in order to be successful at our given thing – whatever it is. But let’s not kid ourselves (like we are so good at doing). When push comes to shove most of us back down from the commitments we’ve made to ourselves, the things we know are going to make our lives better but are going to require hard work, sacrifice, tears, and possibly a little bit of blood.

[0:39] This episode: Do whatever it takes.

This episode is a quick examination of what it really means to be willing to do whatever it takes. And I’m not going easy on myself or on you – because I care too much to let us off the hook. We have been created by God as the most creative, industrious, amazing creations and we can accomplish so much more than we give ourselves credit for. But it won’t come easy. In fact, it will be quite hard. That’s why you need to understand what a “whatever it takes” mindset looks like and how to get it.

[1:37] My story about getting started building online income.

One of the things you’ll hear on this episode is the story of how I got started building side income online. I’m not telling my story to impress you or make you think well of me, but to show you that I’m not making this stuff up. I’ve lived it. I know what it means to feel like you don’t have enough time to start a side hustle. I know how it feels to be looking at an already-full schedule but knowing at the same time that you’ve GOT to do something to make a change. There’s a lot here you can relate to, I’m sure of it.

[10:35] Doing whatever it takes is an issue of stewardship.

When it comes down to it, the things I cover on this episode have very little to do with money or extra income. Those are just the means I’m challenging you to use. The main issue is one of stewardship of the life God gave you. AS one of God’s most excellent creations you have a responsibility to use the life He’s given you to the fullest. You have an obligation to make the most of your life, for HIS sake, that you can. If you’re brave enough to listen – and take to heart what I have to say – you’re going to realize that you’ve been coasting along instead of resolving that you will make the most of what you’ve been given.

[14:32] Why buy-in from your spouse is essential – and how to get it.

You need to keep in mind that the sacrifices you’re willing to make (doing whatever it takes) are thing YOU have determined for yourself. That doesn’t mean your spouse is on board. But he/she HAS to be on board if the changes you want to make are going to happen without causing frustration. That’s a very real thing I had to address in my own life and one I want you to handle wisely. So I’m going to give you some pointers on how you can talk with your spouse about the dreams you have to put your family in a better place and to set the stage for God to use you to channel funds to things He cares about.

[16:54] Dealing with excuses, obstacles, wrong beliefs, and other hindrances.

Every person on the planet who commits to making worthwhile changes to their life is going to come up against resistance. It comes in many forms and is birthed from many places, and you’ve got to learn how to recognize and overcome them if the positive changes you want to see are going to become a reality. And that is perhaps the most important part of doing whatever it takes – killing the negative voices and false beliefs that try to hold you back. This episode is only 29 minutes long – but it’s packed full of stuff you need to know if you want to develop a “do whatever it takes” mindset. So… what are you waiting for?

]]>Personal Momentum Requires A First Step [Ep #13]https://livebuildchange.com/personal-momentum-requires-a-first-step-ep-13/
Mon, 06 Mar 2017 07:00:47 +0000http://livebuildchange.com/?p=734
Too many people find themselves in a place where they’ve lost all sense of personal momentum. They’re stuck, thinking their life is a dead-end, uncertain where to step next – or worse yet, don’t even feel that they should step out at all. But your life doesn’t have to be that way. You can make changes, today, that impact your future in a positive direction. This episode of the Live Build Change podcast is aimed at encouraging you that you can do it.

Outline of This Episode: PERSONAL MOMENTUM

[1:30] An illustration of the power of momentum.

[4:40] Momentum in business is not about gravity or speed, is it?

[6:45] Do you really NOT have enough time, or is it just an excuse?

[8:25] Why you need to start your momentum sooner rather than later.

[10:36] The more steps you take, the further down the road you can see.

[11:38] Fighting the resistance you feel.

[15:01] You are not your failures – your failures do not define you.

[16:41] Have you noticed what God says in the Tower of Babel account?

[18:29] What do you really want? What are you supposed to be reaching for?

How can you get back the personal momentum you used to have?

It’s not easy, but it’s possible. But first, you’ve got to believe that you can. It doesn’t matter what’s happened to derail your personal momentum, I can assure you, people who have been derailed in far worse ways have made the determination to get back on track – and have done it. On this episode I’m offering you a bit of encouragement – a pep talk – a shot in the soul about why you can get your life rolling in a better direction. I hope you’ll receive my words. There’s a lot of truth here that will help you if you’ll let it.

The past has nothing to do with the future.

Of course we’re all shaped by our past. I’m not one of those looney toon guys who says it has no effect on you. But the reality is that the way things have happened in the past, or the experiences we’ve had, have nothing to say about what might happen in the future. Tomorrow is a clean slate that you can write on in ways you never imagined, if you will trust the LORD to give you the vision to know what to write. I want you to be encouraged, to get out of your slump and get your life moving in a better direction. But you’ve got to be willing. Are you?

The kinds of second income jobs available these days are a lot more diverse than waiting tables or early morning paper route delivery. There are so many opportunities to find a second income job that fits YOUR schedule and time frame it’s really unbelievable. On this episode I’m going to walk you through JUST A HANDFUL of the opportunities I know something about to give you a taste – JUST A LITTLE TASTE – of what you can do if you are willing to start.

Outline of This Episode: SECOND INCOME JOBS

[1:40] Ways you can start building side income right away.

[2:31] Why eBay is an opportunity you can utilize right now.

[3:00] Sell on Amazon – anyone can do it with new or used items.

[3:58] The opportunities you could find on Fiverr.

[5:20] Freelancing opportunities that are possible online.

[6:46] The crafty person can get in on the online money train as well.

[7:43] eBook publishing – writing, etc.

[8:13] Online courses: an amazing opportunity.

[9:37] You could become a proofreader – and an idea for getting started.

[11:26] You already own your home. Why not make money from it?

[12:28] Driving around for dollars.

[14:17] Delivering food for extra cash.

[15:04] Do “missions” for people and earn some extra money.

[15:59] Test other people’s websites for profit.

[16:55] You have to get started with side income jobs NOW.

[18:02] How you can connect with me and a favor I’m asking of you.

How much do you think you could make with a side income job?

The main issue is that you’re exchanging your time for somebody else’s money. I talked about that in episode 11. But it’s a place to start – and given the flexible nature of what is out there, you could wind up feeling like you’re not really trading much time at all, especially if you wind up enjoying the side income opportunity you’ve found.

But I don’t have time to work a side income job!

I feel your pain. I felt that way off and on for my entire pastoral career even though I KNEW that I had to figure out a way to make more money so that I could get my family out of debt. It was gnawing at me. BUT – here’s the sad truth: I let myself buy the excuse that I didn’t have enough time and never did anything. It’s sad but true. I wanted the debts to be paid off, but not badly enough. I wasn’t willing to make sacrifices to see it happen. That’s the cold, hard facts of my story. I don’t want you to make that same mistake. Don’t let yourself have any excuses. You can get started today. And this episode will give you more than a handful of options so you CAN get started right now.

]]>Should YOU Trade Time For Money? [Ep. 11]https://livebuildchange.com/should-you-trade-time-for-money-ep-11/
Mon, 20 Feb 2017 09:00:11 +0000http://livebuildchange.com/?p=718
Most people in the workforce are perfectly willing to trade time for money. You may not think of it that way, but it’s true.

But there are a few fundamental problems with that approach to making a living and getting ahead financially. Can you think of what they are?

One has to do with YOU – and another has to do with your EMPLOYER.

Outline of This Episode: TRADE TIME FOR MONEY?

[0:34] What does it mean to exchange time for money? Why is it important?

[2:22] Limitations on the time for money exchange.

[4:08] A sales job is not typically a time for money exchange (it’s called commission).

[5:46] Other options to get out of trading time for money (there are many).

[7:30] Why faith in Christ determines much of what we are willing to do.

[8:54] If you want to move ahead financially you have to stop trading time for money.

[10:00] What happens when you subscribe to Live Build Change?

Trading your time for money can only get you so far.

That’s because you only have SO MUCH time to trade. Think it through for a moment. You’ve only got 40, 50, maybe 60 hours a week that you can realistically give to an employer in exchange for the money he’s willing to pay you before you burn out and lose the more important things in life – like your family.

If you want to get ahead financially and really build the ability to make a difference in the world with your finances, you have got to figure out a way to generate more income that doesn’t require that you exchange your time for it.

Sales jobs are an excellent way to get out of the time for money exchange.

But not everybody is a salesperson. You know?

I sure wasn’t. I’ve tried it a few times and discovered the hard way that something about the sales dynamic and environment just didn’t fit my personality. So that option for getting out of the exchange of my time for someone else’s money wasn’t doable. But I discovered something that was – and it’s worked wonderfully for this non-sales guy.

If you’ve heard the Zero episode of this podcast you know what it is. If not, you can listen to this episode and get the summarized version – and my challenge to you to start thinking outside the little box you’ve made for yourself.

It’s time to put your faith to work and start building a business that can change your world!

If you’ve been in a 9 to 5 job for very long you probably don’t think in terms of multiple streams of income. But there are some very clear and important advantages to not having all your financial eggs in one basket. I discovered that when I stepped out on my own into the entrepreneurial world and on this episode I’d like to share a bit of what I learned.

Outline of This Episode: MULTIPLE STREAMS OF INCOME

[0:36] My welcome and introduction to this episode about multiple streams of income.

[2:26] Why multiple streams of income can be powerful in your life.

[5:28] My self-inflicted loss of income (all my eggs in one basket).

[7:30] What multiple streams of income might look like – my example.

[12:10] What benefits could you experience from multiple streams of income.

Multiple streams of income is not such a bad idea because…

It enables you to have some security – with a little “s” – in your life, so that you can launch out to do bigger and bolder things with the income you have. I mean, think it through for a second. What would you be willing to risk financially to expand a kingdom cause if you knew that your basic bills, food and clothing, and that kind of stuff was taken care of? Thinking in those terms opens up a whole new world of possibilities, doesn’t it?

The internet makes it entirely possible for ANYONE to build multiple streams of income.

When you thought about establishing multiple streams of income in the past you had to think about taking on a second job, like driving pizza deliveries or waiting tables in the evenings. And most of us have probably done exactly that at some point in our lives. But the internet has changed the world to such a degree that we don’t have to go work for somebody else to bring in extra income. We no longer need to trade time for money. Now we have the ability to build something of our own that we don’t have to share with anyone else. And THAT kind of income enables us to think bigger in what we could do for the sake of Christ’s causes.

I invite you to think this issue of multiple streams of income through in terms of possibility. Don’t let yourself come up with all the reasons why it won’t work – at least not just yet. Allow yourself to dream a bit about what you could do with additional income from a variety of sources. Then listen to this episode to hear my assignment for you along those lines.

]]>Money Is A Tool, Not A Goal. Get Confused About That And You’re Finished. [Ep 9]https://livebuildchange.com/money-is-a-tool-not-a-goal-get-confused-about-that-and-youre-finished-ep-9/
Mon, 06 Feb 2017 00:01:33 +0000http://livebuildchange.com/?p=702

With all the talk on the Live Build Change podcast about building a profitable business you may find it interesting that I’m saying that money is not the goal. But that IS what I’m saying. Money is just a tool to reach your goal. And from a Christian perspective, that’s exactly how it’s got to be.

The Apostle Paul warned against us “wanting to be rich,” saying that it’s a very dangerous way in some regards. And I have to admit that’s true. It takes a very mature believer in Christ to keep the desire for money from taking over every good goal you have. So on this episode of the podcast I’m talking just a bit about why money is a great tool, but a terrible goal.

Outline of This Episode: MONEY IS A TOOL

[1:02] How I may have communicated wrongly in the last episode.

[2:19] Money is a great reward but it’s a terrible goal.

[4:16] Your invitation to join the LBC Facebook community.

Money definitely helps with all kinds of problems.

That’s because money addresses some of the most basic needs we have – food, clothing, shelter, etc. And we can see from Jesus’ life and ministry that often the physical needs can be met in an effort to open the door to meeting the deeper, real needs of the soul. So I’m in no way saying money is inherently bad. It’s when money becomes the goal that you get into trouble. So on this episode I’m eager to set the record straight and give you some examples of how money, used rightly, as a tool, can help you accomplish some God-sized goals.

What could you do with an extra $500 per month? And before you answer you need to realize, it’s not about the money. It’s about what might happen if you start thinking outside your normal view of what’s “normal” in your finances.

A hypothetical “extra $500 per month” enables us to think in terms of “what if” – in terms of what might be possible for you – to help you start dreaming about possibilities instead of being limited by what’s always been. Does that make sense? So I’m asking you again – on this episode – “What would an extra $500 per month do for you, for your family, for your ability to impact the world.

And remember, it’s not about the money – because YOU are not about the money. You’re a Christ-follower, called to more than just the accumulation of money. You’re called to be a STEWARD of all that God gives you – and that INCLUDES money. Listen in to this episode to find out how to get outside of the penny-to-penny mindset and begin thinking in terms of possibilities.

Outline of This Episode: WHY IT’S NOT ABOUT THE MONEY

[0:40] Welcome to the episode and why we can aggressively build businesses to change the world.

[1:21] What could you do with $500 extra dollars a month?

[2:00] The variety of circumstances each of us are in. I don’t take this lightly.

[4:43] Ideas to use $500 extra dollars to set yourself up for success.

[6:30] What if you’re not in a penny pinching situation?

[7:48] What could happen if you start thinking outside your normal limitations?

[9:38] How you can connect with me.

You’re called to something bigger than simply earning money or creating wealth.

As a Christ-follower you’re a STEWARD. That’s an altogether different thing.

Think of it this way, the King of the Universe (Jesus) has appointed you to be a steward over parts of His kingdom. He’s put a lot of things that are important to Him under your supervision – relationships, resources, responsibilities, tasks, even money. AS His steward, what are you going to DO with those things?

Will you be the steward who tucks away your Master’s resources out of fear?

You remember the parable Jesus told, right? The 3 stewards are given differing amounts of money and told to make use of it profitably until the Master returned. One of them was afraid, so he hid the money away to keep it from being lost.

But he MISSED THE POINT of his Master’s instructions. It was NOT about the money, it was about his faithful stewardship of what the Master had given him. There’s a fundamental mindset shift there that can change the way you live, the way you handle the finances you’ve been given, and the sorts of things you consider to be possible through your stewardship of Jesus’ resources.

Will you make the jump to a new kind of logic – a kingdom oriented mindset that’s full of possibility? I hope you’ll listen to this episode. I’ve got some ideas to help you get started.

Are you curious what goes on in a business coaching session? You’re about to find out.

One of my old college friends connected with me a few weeks back after hearing me interviewed on another person’s podcast and wanted to know if I thought he would be able to build a business that could generate enough income to allow him to…

Give away half of his income

Live on the mission field a significant part of the time

What do YOU think I told him?

So I asked my college friend Gary to come on the podcast for a live business coaching session – so that YOU could hear how we go about it, what is involved in the beginning steps of a business idea, and how you can start researching to see if it might work.

Outline of This Episode: LIVE BUSINESS COACHING SESSION

[0:01] My first ever business coaching session – on this episode!

[0:39] My introduction to my old friend Gary and his situation and goals.

[4:44] Why I think anyone can build a business to help them change the world.

[5:36] Things Gary has done that might be able to be leveraged into side income.

[8:32] Where could Gary package something that would meet a clear need?

[10:55] Gary’s idea and the roadblocks that might exist.

[13:28] How could Gary find out the content he needs to know?

[15:30] The possibilities Gary sees and the potential hurdles I see.

[18:20] Keeping in mind Gary’s end goals as he builds a potential online course.

[21:43] Who would be interested in this kind of course?

[22:38] How to research the number of people needing this type of course.

[27:02] Thinking through the approach to a course (or multiple courses).

[30:40] Homework for Gary to do to research his idea.

[32:17] The many things that go into creating a product or service.

[34:19] Why I’d love to have YOU on the show.

[35:08] Would you do me one small favor?

He wants to give half of his income away!????!!!??!?

Yep. That’s one of Gary’s goals – and I LOVE it. He’s just the kind of passionate follower of Christ that I want to get the fire in his soul that drives him to make a difference in the world THROUGH the income he generates.

It’s that generous heart of his I love, the desire to be a vessel through which God pours His abundance to help others, bless others, and bring them to a place that they can hear the gospel of Jesus Christ.

This business coaching session is to show you how YOU can begin.

There is absolutely NOTHING complicated about researching a business idea. Anyone can do it. But not everyone WILL do it – because it takes work, determination, and a willingness to let the numbers speak for themselves. If it’s a great idea – then it’s a great idea. If it’s not. It’s not and you’re better off looking at something else.

In this first ever business coaching session I walk Gary through the idea generation phase, narrow in on a possible target service or product, and give him some homework regarding what he needs to do to verify the market need and establish exactly what his product might be like.

I hope you take the time to listen. This conversation is proof that anyone can do this business thing – if they are willing to do the work.

When I say the words “revenue model” what do you think of? If you haven’t been thinking in terms of building a business for very long those words may not mean much to you at all. But they are very important because the type of revenue model you choose will dictate what kind of income you receive from your business and how often you receive it.

And it could also determine significant aspects of the lifestyle you’re able to live.

On this episode, I’m going to walk you through 5 different revenue models, explain them plainly so anybody can understand how each of them is different, and tell you what I see as the advantages and disadvantages of each one. I hope you stick around.

Outline of This Episode: 5 REVENUE MODELS

[0:44] What this podcast is all about!

[1:16] The different revenue models will determine your lifestyle and income.

[2:25] The one-time sale (primarily product sales) – pros and cons.

[5:06] The repeat purchase sale (products that run out and need replenished)

Why I think Netflix is ingenious – even though I once thought it was a stupid idea.

Yep. When Netflix first came out I thought it was a stupid idea. That was back when the first iteration of Netflix was DVDs you could order and have shipped to you in the mail. The company still does that but as you know, Netflix now offers online streaming of movies and TV shows AND has become its own movie studio as well. And the revenue model Netflix has chosen is what I think is so smart. Recurring income.

Let me say that again. RECURRING INCOME.

On this episode, I’m going to give you some examples of how YOU can create a recurring income business… if you take the time to think it through and figure out how to make it work. Come on, I know you can do it!

Did you realize that your revenue model will in large part dictate your lifestyle?

It’s true. If you build a business that is based on a one-time sales experience – in other words, your customer comes to you to buy one time and one time only – then you have saddled yourself with having to go out and find NEW customers over and over and over. That takes a lot of work. That takes a lot of time. That takes a lot of YOU. Your lifestyle is going to be centered around your business rather than the other way around. Find out how you can avoid this trap, on this episode.

]]>Assets VS Liabilities And Why You MUST Build Assets. [Ep 6]https://livebuildchange.com/assets-vs-liabilities-and-why-you-must-build-assets-ep-6/
Mon, 16 Jan 2017 00:01:06 +0000http://livebuildchange.com/?p=669
If you don’t know the difference of Assets VS Liabilities you could be walking a very thin line between getting by and going under. I know that sounds a bit alarmist but it’s true. If you are allowing your liabilities (credit cards, car loans, etc.) to creep higher and higher as a part of your monthly budget you’re just one emergency away from going under financially. You don’t want that. I don’t want that for you. On this episode, I’m going to chat about the difference between the typical budget approach (income and expenses) and the forward-thinking budget approach I’m beginning to adopt. I hope you take the time to listen.

Outline of This Episode: ASSETS VS. LIABILITIES

[0:40] What LIVE-BUILD-CHANGE is all about and introduction to this episode.

[2:23] How have you been taught to think about finances?

[3:28] Why there are not only 2 columns on your financial chart (income and expenses)

[4:15] Defining income, expenses, liabilities, and assets (and why ASSETS are what you want to build).

[7:21] An example of an online asset type I believe anyone can build: video courses.

[11:18] My invitation to YOU to record a brainstorming session together.

[13:40] Ways to use existing income to begin building assets (not financial advice, just brainstorming).

[16:40] When you can afford that new thing and when you can’t.

Liabilities are those things that suck money OUT of your monthly budget.

You know the kind of things I’m talking about – car payments, credit card debt, credit accounts at department stores. Those are the kind of debt that do absolutely nothing for you and over time will not only deplete your monthly income but will also suck the morale out of YOU. Do what you can to begin minimizing your liabilities and begin building assets. On this episode, I’ve got some ideas about how you can start heading in that direction.

Assets VS Liabilities is a no-brainer. Assets are the way to go.

Assets are what build wealth over time. Assets are what take the pinch off of your monthly budget so that you’re doing more than just living paycheck to paycheck. They are what enable you to create margin in your expenses, breathe a little easier, and begin looking at ways you can change the world through the finances that funnel through your hands. As a steward of God’s resources, that’s your responsibility with every penny you receive.

There’s at least one way that I believe every person who listens to this episode of the podcast can begin building assets little by little in as short a time frame as 30 to 60 days. What is this magical source of assets? It’s not magic but it seems like it sometimes. It’s using your life experience and skills to create an online course. If that makes no sense to you I beg you, listen to this episode and let yourself think a big larger than you’re used to thinking.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you should be an entrepreneur you’re one of the few people these days who is actually asking the RIGHT question. There’s so much emphasis in the online space these days on EVERYONE building their own business. They give lots of compelling reasons…

Get more time freedom for yourself.

Be your own boss.

Generate more monthly cash flow.

Add greater value to the world.

And on and on and on…

I get every one of those reasons. Heck, I’m an entrepreneur in part because of some of them. But that doesn’t mean that you should be an entrepreneur if you aren’t called to be one.

Outline of This Episode: SHOULD YOU BE AN ENTREPRENEUR?

[0:38] Is being an entrepreneur or building a business right for you?

[1:49] The problems entrepreneurship can bring if you aren’t called to it.

[3:42] Why you need to first know yourself.

[6:18] How you can become a part of the Live Build Change community on Facebook.

How do you know if you should be an entrepreneur?

It’s not an easy question to answer, is it? But I think it’s a lot more simple than most people think. On this episode of Live Build Change I walk through some fairly simple ways for you to ask and answer the question, “Should I become an entrepreneur?” If you’re feeling the pressure to start your own thing – please don’t – until you listen to this episode.

Whether you should start your own business depends on who YOU are.

It’s not everybody who can do math to the level of becoming a CPA. It’s not every person who plays piano who can become a Mozart. In the same way, not everybody can start their own business or become an entrepreneur. That’s not saying anything bad about them, it’s just not in their gift/talent mix, and that’s entirely OK. If you want to find out some clues as to whether or not you’re one of those people who should start your own business, this episode is for you.

]]>Your Biggest Mistake In Business (even if you haven’t started yet) [Ep 4]https://livebuildchange.com/your-biggest-mistake-in-business-even-if-you-havent-started-yet-ep-4/
Mon, 02 Jan 2017 00:01:25 +0000http://livebuildchange.com/?p=653
Can you think what might be the biggest mistake many would-be entrepreneurs or small business owners make? It’s not business debt (though that IS a big mistake in most instances, in my book). It’s not hiring a team too soon. It’s not spending too much money. Your biggest mistake in business, even if you haven’t started a business yet is to DO NOTHING!

On this episode of the Live Build Change podcast, I’m going to give you a loving but firm kick in the seat of the pants to get you moving toward building a channel of side income at the least, or building a business of your own that can truly (no hype here) change the world.

[tweetthis remove_twitter_handles=”true”]Your biggest mistake in business and life is to do nothing[/tweetthis]

Outline of This Episode: YOUR BIGGEST MISTAKE

[0:33] My welcome to you – and who this podcast is for!

[1:26] The biggest mistake you can make: Doing nothing. Here’s why.

[3:26] The advantages technology gives to almost ANYONE these days.

[6:48] Practical things you can do to get started.

[10:12] What you need to do if you’re feeling the nudge.

[11:54] Something you can do to help someone you know!

Action breeds success. What are you doing to move toward success?

Think for just a minute about the most successful people you know. Better yet, pick one person who you see as being very successful. Have you got them in mind? What is it that makes them successful? There are probably a TON of things they do that contribute to their success but I can guarantee you one specific thing they do that most people who are not successful don’t do – THEY TAKE ACTION!

If YOU want to be successful, taking action is the one non-negotiable thing successful people do that you’ve got to imitate. If you want to build side income, if you want to start a business – HECK, if you want to make your life and the lives of those you love different over the long haul, your biggest mistake would be to keep living the way you’re living. You’ve got to take action (well informed and wise action) to make things different than they are now.

[tweetthis remove_twitter_handles=”true”]Action breeds success. What are you doing to move toward success?[/tweetthis]

Don’t keep living out the same big mistake year after year.

If YOU don’t commit yourself to making your life and the lives of your family members better, who will? And understand me clearly, this is NOT about money, this is about YOU living up to your potential, to the gifts and unique skills God has entrusted to you. On this episode of Live Build Change, I’m challenging you to challenge your own mindset. I hope you take the time to listen.

Know your why.

You hear that advice in the business community over and over these days. And there’s good reason for it. It’s an important concept that every business leader needs to understand.

The focus on finding and knowing your “why” comes primarily from a great book by Simon Sinek, “Start With Why.” His premise is that every leader or business owner needs to be clear on WHY they are building their business or leading their cause. If they aren’t, they’ll be missing one of the key components that fuels a successful business and team culture.

But I don’t believe that’s the most important question YOU – a Christ-follower who wants to start a business – should be asking.

Outline of This Episode: If You Only Know Your Why

[0:14] My intro to this episode – and why I’m casting a vision for Christ-followers with an entrepreneurial bent.

[1:27] Start with Why: And evaluating similar arguments through a Christian filter.

[3:55] Why your “why” is NOT the most important thing.

[6:07] Your business will only be as strong as the “WHO” that you build your life (and business) on.

[10:53] What about businesses that don’t honor Christ and are incredibly successful?

[12:08] How you can be sure that your WHO is more important than your WHY.

[14:42] A personal story of what happens when you run on your own steam (ignore the WHO behind your life).

[19:33] The hard question you MUST ask yourself as you build a business – and a Call To Action for you from this episode.

Your WHO has got to be more important than your WHY.

Please don’t misunderstand, knowing the WHY behind what you’re doing in business truly a thing of vital importance. But if it’s the main thing you focus on you’re going to miss the boat as a Christ-follower. For you, it’s much more important that you KNOW YOUR WHO before you know your WHY.

This episode of LIVE BUILD CHANGE is a challenge for you to dig deeper than you might be used to digging in order to discover what really lies at the heart of your desire to build a business. I want you to come away from this episode with a deep conviction that your relationship with Jesus Christ is the most powerful and sustaining fuel for you as a business owner and as a result, for your business itself.

You need to hear this challenge. If only as an affirmation that you’re on the right track. But potentially as a much-needed course correction that can save you loads of grief, missteps, and mistakes as you walk your business path.

Call to Action for this Episode

Get out a journal and write your thoughts about this question:

Am I a committed follower of Christ who demonstrates by my actions that He means more to me than anything else?

Once you’re done writing out everything that comes to mind in response to that question, draw a line across the paper and write…

What I am going to do to take my relationship with Christ to the next level is…

Then fill in the blanks. Then share it with your spouse. Share it with a close friend. Or share it with the Live Build Change community. Or email me with your statement of commitment – carey(at)LiveBuildChange.com

Most people who hang around the entrepreneurial space on the internet (which is where I assume you came across this little post) have asked the question at one time or another. And it’s not an easy question to answer.

Behind it is the assumption that there really IS a “should” or “should not” to the issue. In other words, God Himself has an opinion about whether you should be getting into business or not. I think that’s true. No, I KNOW it’s true. God indeed DOES have an opinion on the subject and I have no doubt that one of the most important things you can do is work to discover what His opinion is.

In my journey as a Christ-follower (over 44 years at this point), I’ve discovered that not only does God have an opinion about things like that – He also delights to make His opinion known to us. But it doesn’t come through a heavenly megaphone or bullhorn.

There’s no Bat-phone equivalent (a burning bush, maybe?) that He uses to give us marching orders.

But there IS a surefire way to know if God wants you to go into business. It’s very simple. But it’s not easy.

I hope you’ll take the time to understand how a very simple principle I cover on this episode can open up all kinds of doors to you when it comes to knowing exactly what God wants you to do.

[tweetthis remove_hidden_hashtags=”true”]Should I Start A #Business? Believe it or not, #God has the answer for you[/tweetthis]

Outline of This Episode: Should You Start A Business?

[0:14] My invitation to you to listen to the ZERO episode – it’s important!

[0:42] What does it mean for a Christ-follower to open for business?

[2:56] What our wisest decisions in life depend on.

[3:53] The foolproof way to know if God is leading you into business (it’s simple, but not easy).

[9:29] What Christian disciplines are meant to do and how it impacts your life direction.

[14:23] Why you need to relax and rest while trying to answer this important question.

If you want to know if you should start a business, God has the answer.

And He wants you to know it. But you’re going to have to seek it. No – even more than seeking the answer you’re going to need to seek HIM. And there’s a world of difference between those two things.

Do you realize that? God isn’t a Genie or vending machine who spits out what you want when you put in your quarter of faith. He’s a Person, THE Person who holds the universe in His hand, the most important person in your life.

In order to answer the question, you need to know the ONE who has the answer.

You may say, “Sure, I know God.” And it may be true. But the most important part of knowing God is that you know His heart, His desires, His will – and that you delight in them. It’s that delight, that glad submission to what God is up to that enables you to understand what He wants for YOU to do, specifically.

I unpack the idea from the scriptures on this episode of the podcast – aimed at helping you understand if you should start a business of your own. I hope you listen.

[tweetthis remove_hidden_hashtags=”true”]What does it take to know for sure if you should #StartABusiness?[/tweetthis]

]]>Are You Meant To Follow Your Dreams? Maybe. [Ep 1]https://livebuildchange.com/are-you-meant-to-follow-your-dreams-maybe/
Thu, 24 Nov 2016 21:32:40 +0000http://livebuildchange.com/?p=612You hear all the time that you need to follow your dreams, that you need to find your dream job.

But I think that’s one of the WORST pieces of advice for most people to follow.

That’s because I don’t think there IS such a thing as a dream job for the majority of us. Now hear me carefully – that doesn’t mean I think we’re all just average schmucks who exist to serve the will of others.

No way. What it means is that I think you and I may be designed for something a bit broader, something more far-reaching than what is possible if we are narrowly focused on one specific niche or calling.

Curious what I mean? This episode about following your dreams – or not – is for you!

[tweetthis remove_hidden_hashtags=”true”]#FollowYourDreams is the WORST advice for most people. Here’s why[/tweetthis]

Outline of This Episode: Are You Meant To Follow Your Dreams? Maybe.

[0:15] Thanks for listening, what you can hear on this episode of the podcast.

[1:33] What is your DREAM job? Is there really such a thing?

[4:10] What would you do even if you weren’t paid for it?

[8:50] Maybe your dream job is not as specific as you feel it should be (like me). Is that OK?

[12:25] Will you run out of steam if you don’t follow your passion?

[15:30] Why your dream job simply may not exist – and what you should do instead of chasing it.

Following your dreams is not a bad thing – but what if you don’t have THOSE kind of dreams.

We all experience the temptation to view the way things should be through the lens of what we experience. Said another way, we think the way we see things is the way things are.

So the people you hear championing the idea of following your dreams are the people who God has given specific dreams. And the fact that THEY have specific dreams makes them think that everyone has specific dreams/calling/vision for their lives.

But it’s simply not true.

What do you do if you don’t HAVE a specific dream for your life?

I think that’s a much more practical question to answer than “What IS the dream I should follow?” And it’s an easier question to answer because GOD has given all of us certain marching orders that we are to follow – no matter if we have a specific calling or not.

On this episode of Live – Build – Change I’m going to tell you how I think you should think about this “follow your dreams” stuff in light of the likelihood that most people simply don’t HAVE a specific dream they are meant to follow.

[tweetthis remove_hidden_hashtags=”true”]What should you do if you can’t find a specific #dream or #calling for your life?[/tweetthis]

]]>Change The World Through A Small But Growing Business – Join the Live Build Change Movement [Ep 0]https://livebuildchange.com/change-the-world-through-a-small-but-growing-business-join-the-live-build-change-movement-000-episode/
Wed, 16 Nov 2016 20:30:05 +0000http://livebuildchange.com/?p=541You CAN change the world. Really, you can.

I know you hear a lot of that kind of stuff on the internet in this day and age – and there’s a reason you do: because it’s TRUE!

This podcast and the website that hosts it is dedicated to helping you learn HOW to change your world through building a business that can fund the kind of change God puts on your heart.

Yes, this is one of THOSE kinds of podcasts, one that talks about God – but not in the “you are god” or “god is what you imagine Him to be” ways.

This podcast is carefully and clearly aimed at helping radically Christ-following people discern how God wants to use them to bring amazing changes to their world through building a small but growing business.

Keep reading (and listening) to find out more about how the Live Build Change podcast is aimed at doing that.

[tweetthis]How You Can #ChangeTheWorld Through A Small But Growing #Business[/tweetthis]

Outline of This Episode: Change the world through a small but growing business.

[2:39] Why I LEFT a 20 year ministry career with nothing to fall back on.

[3:55] My first SUCCESSFUL online thing: a “pay what you want” video course.

[5:50] The day I discovered that a normal J-O-B was not going to work for me (whew!).

[8:40] How my online successes translated into causes BIGGER than just making a living.

[11:00] The variety of ways YOU can change your world through building a business.

[13:27] The FOUNDATIONAL issue: living your faith out practically.

[16:54] What you can expect from the format of this podcast in the future.

[19:05] Subscribe to get the “Morning Mindset” edition – 7 days a week.

[20:53] 3 ways you can join me on the Live Build Change quest.

Think about what it takes to change the world.

Really, take a couple of minutes to think about what it practically, honestly takes to see significant changes happen in the world. It’s not just about big things, world-wide things – it’s about individual people whose lives are changed in significant ways.

When you think of it like that it seems a ton more possible to be or become a world-changer. And as a Christ-follower you have a leg up on everyone else – because you have the Holy Spirit of God in you to help you do that changing.

Here’s how I’m looking to make you into a world changer.

Well, it’s not ME who’s going to make you into a person who changes the world, it’s God Himself – but I believe He’s going to use my experience, the things He’s done in my life, to encourage, equip, and position you so that you can actually become a person who He uses to change the world.

This is the ZERO EPISODE – the one where I tell you what this podcast is about and what you can expect to hear on it in the future.

I ask you to give me at least one chance, one opportunity right now to speak into your earbuds, to share the vision and dream God has given me for how we can band together to change the world – through authentic lives of faith – through small but growing business – by generously funding causes, campaigns, and benevolent gifts that change people one at a time.

Go ahead, push the play button and give this zero episode a listen. And thanks!

[tweetthis]Can I have 20m to share the #vision #God has given me for how we can #ChangeTheWorld?[/tweetthis]

]]>What could an extra $500 per month in side income do for you?https://livebuildchange.com/what-could-an-extra-500-per-month-in-side-income-do-for-you/
Wed, 25 May 2016 12:49:48 +0000http://livebuildchange.com/?p=380Side income is not for the sake of the money.

It’s for the sake of the things it can do for your life, the people you love, and the world at large.

That’s what LIVE-BUILD-CHANGE is about from beginning to end – LIVE your faith, BUILD your business, CHANGE your world.

$500 of side income could…

Get you caught up on overdue bills

Take care of medical expenses you’ve been chipping away at

Pay down your debt significantly faster

Create an emergency fund to cover those unexpected expenses

Put your kids into private school, or enable you to home school

Pay for that long overdue vacation

Get the braces your daughter’s been needing

Fund a more reliable car in less than a year

Give you the opportunity to give generously to people who have needs

[tweetthis]What are the things an extra $500 could do for YOU, in YOUR life, right now?[/tweetthis]

But you want to generate that side income without killing yourself, don’t you?

Delivering pizzas at night is great. Waiting tables might do it. And if you need the extra income right away, you may have no other choice than to take on that kind of “second job” mentality for a while.

As Dave Ramsey says, for a while you may have to

“…live like no one else so that you can live like no one else.”

But in that kind of situation, there’s a problem.

You’re locked into that same routine, night after night, weekend after weekend, for the foreseeable future.

I’ve done those kinds of things myself. There have been seasons of my life where I had no other choice. My “kill-myself-job” of choice always seemed to be an early morning paper route.

But there’s a better way (in my humble opinion).

It doesn’t generate income as quickly.

It’s not easy.

It requires the same kind of hard work and commitment.

But the results can be compounded.

Side income a better way

Today’s technology provides a way to apply that same hard work in a concentrated way for a short period of time, and reap rewards that will continue to pay you week after week, month after month, while you spend time with your family.

It didn’t get to that level overnight. In fact, the first “cha-ching” I heard was one $10 purchase. But over the course of 3 years, by making modifications to the course, marketing improvements, and price increases, I’ve gotten it to that level.

And that’s just one of my online business ventures.

There are so many ways you could choose to generate that side income, it’s hard to comprehend.

Become an affiliate (sell someone else’s product and get a commission)

Become a coach, in almost any area of expertise you might have

Build a quirky or niche based website and sponsor advertisements on it that pay you when someone clicks them (I do this)

And the list goes on and on.

None of these are get-rich quick schemes. None of them are easy to establish, market, and get rolling.

But they all bring in the drip-drip-drip of recurring income that has enabled me to support my family and more.

But side income is significant in another way you may not have thought of.

I’ve got a “cha-ching” sound attached to the email address for my mortgage loan study course. Whenever somebody purchases the course, I hear the sound. On an average day I hear that sound between 4 and 10 times..

Whenever I hear that sound, I pause to notice what I’m doing at that moment and THANK THE LORD that no matter what I’m doing, I earned some income while I was doing it.

Eating dinner with my family

Driving my son to a friend’s house

Hiking with my daughter

Sitting at the coffee shop, talking with my wife

Chatting with a friend

Visiting my son’s family on a holiday vacation

Sitting on the beach in Imperial Beach, CA (we did this last summer)

It’s like magic, but it’s not.

[tweetthis]It’s the power of hard work applied once for an ongoing return. [/tweetthis]

And the internet makes it possible in ways that haven’t existed before.

I now have the opportunity to enjoy the relationships and experiences that make up my life, and make significant side income at the same time.

What could $500 of monthly side income do for you?

]]>Stop talking and take some actionhttps://livebuildchange.com/stop-talking-and-take-some-action/
Thu, 19 May 2016 19:50:25 +0000http://livebuildchange.com/?p=340If you’re going to do it, stop talking about it and get started.

Faith requires action every single time.

Every time.

It’s easy to make excuses like…

I don’t know where to start.

How do I begin?

But as a Christ-follower you have a distinct advantage that makes the following truth powerful in your life.

You don’t have to know every step of the journey, just the first one.

And the first one is to get moving, trusting God to guide you.

He WILL be faithful to do that.

So begin…

Praying

Seeking

Investigating

Reading

Learning

And expect God to be who He is – faithful.

How are you going to take action today in light of who YOU are and in light of WHOSE you are?

]]>Changing the World One Christian Entrepreneur At A Timehttps://livebuildchange.com/changing-the-world-one-christian-entrepreneur-at-a-time/
Thu, 12 May 2016 18:58:53 +0000http://livebuildchange.com/?p=245I’m a Christ-follower, so I believe I’m supposed to be changing the world.

And if you’re a Christ-follower, I believe you are supposed to be changing the world, too.

The problem is, we don’t easily or naturally see how the fact that we are followers of Jesus Christ integrates into that calling.

Yes, we’re supposed to share our faith.

Yes, we’re supposed to “minister” to people (whatever that means).

But how does all our church-speak apply to everyday life in a real world?

Changing the world happens day by day, one person at a time.

And it often happens in the most unexpected ways.

20 years in pastoral ministry and the creation of a successful online business (or two) has taught me that Jesus wants to change the world right where His followers are at, in daily life.

That means in your family, in your community, in your church, and in your business.

They all go together. Every day.

It’s not spiritual mumbo-jumbo, it’s where the realities of daily living and the power of Jesus (who lives in us) meet.

Join me in exploring and unleashing all that it means to be a Christ-follower, everyday of your life.

My hope is to provide a wealth of free resources (yes, free) to help you become knowledgeable and equipped to BE who Jesus wants you to be in the world you live in.

As you do that, you have the potential and power to change the world – your world.

It will happen in big and little ways as you faithfully live out who Jesus has made you to be and as you learn to integrate that identity into every area of your life.

The first step I’m asking you to take is simple.

Get my “Transform Your Life and Business” video course.

It’s free.

It’s solid, biblical content.

And it’s not your run-of-the-mill church talk.

You’ll discover things about what Jesus has done for you, in you, and TO you that will transform your life if you apply it.

What to expect from LIVE BUILD CHANGE in the days ahead.

I’ve learned the hard way not to make promises based on what I hope to accomplish. So instead, I’ll tell you what I think the LORD is guiding me toward. Just know, it’s almost guaranteed to change some as I get moving…

The LIVE BUILD CHANGE podcast/videocast (at least weekly) to spur you on in your world changing calling.

Regular blog posts to motivate and equip you for life and business success.

FREE courses to further move you and your business forward.

Unapologetic “call it like I see it” commentary on the current business world and climate.

Biblically sourced insights to the issues you face in life and business.

LBC events (eventually). My vision is to organize small group synergy to truly equip and enable Christ-following entrepreneurs to make massive change in their worlds.

I look forward to growing together in bringing great honor to our Master, Jesus.